Former LSU coach Ed Orgeron, no stranger to controversy himself, offered advice this week to former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore after Moore was fired for an affair with his assistant Paige Shiver. Orgeron said Moore’s priority should be his personal well-being rather than an immediate return to coaching.
Orgeron, who led LSU to the 2019 national championship before being dismissed less than two years later, told Fox News Digital that coaches can recover from major setbacks if they address their personal lives first.
“I think the number one thing is for him to be OK,” Orgeron said. “Get yourself right. Everything else will fall into place.”
Moore was fired by Michigan and later arrested following an incident at a woman’s home after the end of a relationship. He faces a felony count of third-degree home invasion and misdemeanor charges of stalking and breaking and entering. Moore has pleaded not guilty, and his case remains pending.
Orgeron’s comments carry added weight given his own exit from LSU, which followed a series of off-field controversies despite on-field success. After the Tigers’ unbeaten 2019 title season, LSU’s program became embroiled in criticism related to its handling of sexual assault allegations involving former players, as well as questions about leadership culture within the athletic department. While Orgeron was not accused of criminal wrongdoing, reports also surfaced about personal conduct issues, including relationships that drew internal scrutiny and raised concerns among university administrators.
In October 2021, LSU and Orgeron agreed to part ways midseason, citing a decline in program direction and off-field distractions. The move ended Orgeron’s tenure just 21 months after he delivered one of the most celebrated seasons in college football history.
Speaking about Moore’s situation, Orgeron emphasized that coaching careers often include sharp rises and sudden falls — and that recovery is possible, but not immediate.
“Coaching is a long road,” Orgeron said. “Sometimes you’ve got to take a step back before you can move forward.”
Moore’s bond conditions reportedly include continued mental health treatment after his wife contacted authorities expressing concern for his safety following his firing.
Orgeron’s remarks reflect a broader conversation within college athletics about accountability, second chances and the toll high-profile jobs can take on personal lives. While Moore’s legal case will play out in court, Orgeron’s message centered on stabilizing life outside football before considering a professional comeback.
Flip the pages for photos of Paige Shiver.
