Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron, most commonly known as Coach O, on a recent podcast appearance with the Bussin’ With The Boys, was seen discussing NIL payments in an SEC context.
Co-host Taylor Lewan essentially made an indirect comparison on how the SEC has long operated in a way that resembles today’s Name, Image, and Likeness era, even before NIL became legal in college sports.
He further stated how supposedly “SEC was NIL before NIL,” whilst also acknowledging how a lot of previous SEC guys on the show won’t admit the same.
Responding to Lewan’s statements, Coach O recalled a conversation after being asked how he will adjust to NIL since he’s been out of coaching for a while, calling it a “minor adjustment,” with the answer leaving everyone in splits.
“Hey, coach, you know, you’ve been out of coaching for a while, and how are you going to adjust to NIL? I said, well, it’s a minor adjustment,” Orgeron stated on the podcast (0:19).
“And he said, what do you mean? I said, back then, we used to walk through the back door to cash. Now we just got to walk through the front door to cash,” he further elaborated (0:26).
According to Coach O, NIL just means the bag man uses the front door now instead of the back 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/sz7JJDv4cX
— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) December 9, 2025
With Orgeron insinuating that an NIL-based system has been prevalent even before, his comments may seem like a subtle jab towards former Alabama Crimson Tide and SEC legend Nick Saban.
Saban has been very vocal and critical of how NIL has evolved, arguing that unregulated pay‑for‑play and recruiting inducements are bad for competitive balance and have affected player motivations.
Ed Orgeron Supports Legal NIL Payment Avenues
Orgeron has generally framed himself to be pro‑NIL, as reflected by his comments on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast. In a 2021 interview, he told the LSU crowd to “pay” Tigers players through legal NIL avenues.
“If you want to give our players money, legally,” do it,” Orgeron said.
“We would like that done. Other schools are doing it … and bragging about it,” he further stated.
https://t.co/8gSxtVk4kA 2019 LSU went 15-0 and was very good..🔮🏈⚜️🏆🌌However, 2019 LSU played in a weaker era of the SEC ?? The SEC was stacked with talent in later 2000s and early 2010s..🤔🤔LSU split BCS Nati’ games in 07 & 2011..
— dacostello (@dacostello1) October 23, 2025
Coach O’s time at Louisiana saw him being promoted from interim to full‑time LSU head coach in 2016, and by 2019, he led the Tigers to a 15‑0 season and a national championship over Clemson.
Also Read:
- Lane Kiffin’s “Positive Conversations” With SEC Rivals Nearly Derailed LSU Move, Says Gators Director of Athletics
- Lane Kiffin Demands Payment On Chef’s Promise To “Walk B*tt Naked” Following Blockbuster LSU Move
- “He Has Commitment Issues”: Fans Abuzz As LSU’s $91M Man Lane Kiffin Cancels College Gameday Appearance
