Former LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady was elevated to the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching position to replace Sean McDermott earlier this week. Brady, who was the Bills’ offensive coordinator, is currently the youngest serving head coach in the NFL.
What Did Ed Orgeron Reveal About an Alabama Game That Led To the Bills Hiring Joe Brady?
Brady made his name during his time in Baton Rouge as part of coach Ed Orgeron’s staff, which helped to guide perhaps the most dominant offense in college football history in 2019.
During a Friday interview on “WWL Radio,” Orgeron told the story of how he hired Brady for his LSU staff and how an embarrassing game against the Alabama Crimson Tide cemented the move.
“Once we met Joe, Ray Charles could have figured that out. It was so obvious,” Orgeron said. “We were wanting to study the RPOs and I said, ‘Let’s bring him over and have him give us a session on the RPOs. When I got into that room and I heard that man talk, I said, ‘Guys, we gotta get this guy back on our staff.’
“The key to this thing was, we played Alabama that year and we didn’t score a point. So, we found out, obviously, that Joe not only knew the RPOs, but he knew the spread. He wasn’t full-time, he was an analyst. We offered him the offensive coordinator and the season that we had in 2019, he helped put that whole new offense, it was all Joe Brady.”
With Brady working alongside LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, the Tigers flourished and finished the season with a 15-0 record, with quarterback Joe Burrow winning the Heisman Trophy. The 2019 LSU offense is still considered one of the most potent in college football history.
Joe Burrow Gave Brady His Flowers
Six years after LSU’s all-conquering season, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who won the Heisman in Brady’s offense, gave the Bills coach his flowers while speaking to reporters before his team played the Bills in December.
“Joe and I go way back, way back at this point,” Burrow said. He was great for my career. We did some fun things together. We’ve got a great relationship. I look forward to seeing him and talking to him.”
“Bringing in all of the NFL concepts to what we were doing at LSU, fortunately, my strength is being able to read and react and get the ball out quickly and find the right guys. That’s what that offense was about.”
Burrow tallied 5,671 passing yards on 76.3% completion, resulting in 60 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, while adding 368 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns to complete one of the greatest individual seasons in college football history.
