LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron has released his first statement since the announcement that he and the school have agreed to part ways at the end of the current football campaign. Orgeron, who led the Tigers to their undefeated National Championship season in 2019, wrote the following letter to LSU fans, commenting on the season, his future and his feelings about the last couple of days.

"Five years ago, I fulfilled a lifelong dream and returned to LSU to lead the Tigers into Death Valley. I have loved LSU since I first touched a football in Lafourche Parish in the late 1960s. I loved the Tigers when I enrolled as a freshman defensive lineman in 1979. I loved the Tigers when I left to continue my playing career elsewhere, and I loved them every step of my professional journey  - even from far away  - as my career took me across America until I returned 35 years later.

"My love for LSU has only strengthened over the past five years. All I wanted to do when I accepted the position as head coach in 2016 was to build a championship program and make the state of Louisiana proud. With the hard work and support of talented players, loyal assistants, dedicated staff, and the most passionate fans in college football, we did just that in 2019.

"I have always understood the expectations at LSU, and they are the same expectations I have for myself and our staff. I am disappointed that we have not met these expectations over the past two years. Thank you to the entire LSU family for the opportunity to coach one of the greatest college football teams of all-time. I’ll continue to fight, as will our team, throughout the rest of the season. Geaux Tigers!"

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