Ed Orgeron recently shared details of a private chat he had with Joe Burrow, during which the former head coach fully delivered his pitch, resulting in a memorable Baton Rouge experience.

The former LSU head coach recently opened up about the intimate and pivotal conversation he had with quarterback Joe Burrow, a private chat that altered the trajectory of LSU football forever. Speaking at a recent alumni event in Baton Rouge, Orgeron shared new details about how he lured the transfer quarterback from Ohio State, pitching not only a football opportunity but a full-throttle experience that embodied the spirit of Louisiana.

“I told Joe, ‘Son, I can’t promise you anything except a shot—and that it’ll be one hell of a ride,’” Orgeron said. “He liked that. He didn’t want anything handed to him. He wanted to earn it.”

That conversation, which took place during the spring of 2018, laid the groundwork for one of the most legendary college football seasons in history. In 2019, Burrow would go on to lead LSU to a perfect 15-0 season, a national championship, and arguably the greatest single-season performance ever by a college quarterback. But none of that would have happened without the vision and grit of Coach O.

Back in 2018, Ed Orgeron wasn’t exactly sitting comfortably atop the college football world. LSU had just finished a shaky season with a 9-4 record and a disappointing loss to Notre Dame in the Citrus Bowl. The fan base was split on whether Orgeron—long beloved for his Cajun charisma—was the man for the job long-term.

Behind the scenes, the Tigers were searching desperately for a quarterback who could elevate their program from good to great. The Les Miles era had been defined by strong defenses and powerful run games but hamstrung by stagnant quarterback play. Orgeron knew that had to change.

Meanwhile, up in Columbus, Joe Burrow was stuck behind Dwayne Haskins on the Ohio State depth chart. The Athens, Ohio, native was looking for a fresh start—somewhere he could compete, contribute, and maybe, just maybe, become the leader he believed he was meant to be.

The stars were beginning to align, but it would take Orgeron’s full-court press to make the connection.

According to Orgeron, the pivotal conversation wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t about NIL deals or media attention. It was about honesty, toughness, and a shared understanding of what it means to be doubted.

“I could tell Joe was a little tired of the business side of things,” Orgeron recalled. “He wasn’t looking for promises. He was looking for truth.”

Orgeron told Burrow he’d have to fight for the job, but that the culture at LSU would embrace a competitor. He painted a picture of Baton Rouge on a Saturday night, of the way Tiger Stadium erupts when the lights go down and the marching band plays the first notes of “Callin’ Baton Rouge.” He promised grit. He promised a shot. And most importantly, he promised belief.

“I told him, ‘You come here, you’ll be one of us,’” Orgeron said. “You’ll eat gumbo with us. You’ll sweat with us. You’ll bleed purple and gold with us.”

It worked.

Once in Baton Rouge, Burrow meshed seamlessly with the Tigers. Teammates speak of how quickly he established credibility—not by talking, but by working. He was the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave. He studied film religiously. He hit the weight room with the intensity of a defensive lineman. And he developed a powerful bond with Orgeron.

“Coach O believed in me when not a lot of other people did,” Burrow once said. “That meant the world.”

The 2018 season saw Burrow put up solid numbers—2,894 passing yards, 16 touchdowns—but it was just the beginning. The duo had laid the foundation for something bigger. Orgeron, along with then-pass game coordinator Joe Brady and offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, began building a new offensive system tailored to Burrow’s strengths.

Everything came together in 2019. With Burrow under center, LSU shattered records, defeated Alabama for the first time in eight years, won the SEC Championship, and ultimately routed Clemson to win the national title. Burrow threw for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns, winning the Heisman Trophy in a landslide.

And it all began with that private chat.

Years later, the impact of that conversation still reverberates throughout Baton Rouge.

“I think about that phone call a lot,” Orgeron said. “I didn’t know it at the time, but we were building something special. Joe made us believe again.”

The bond between Burrow and Orgeron has remained strong, even as Burrow has ascended to NFL stardom with the Cincinnati Bengals and Orgeron has stepped away from coaching. The two have shared meals, phone calls, and sideline visits. According to Orgeron, their relationship goes beyond football.

“That’s my guy,” Orgeron said. “He’s like a son to me. Always will be.”

It’s a sentiment that runs deep. During LSU’s 2019 championship celebration, Burrow made a point to credit Orgeron for giving him a chance. “He believed in me,” Burrow said, his voice cracking with emotion. “And that changed everything.”

Orgeron has long talked about the importance of culture and character. With Burrow, he got both. More than just a talented quarterback, Burrow embodied the Louisiana spirit Orgeron cherished—resilient, fiery, unpretentious.

“Joe’s not from Louisiana, but he could’ve been,” Orgeron joked. “Tough as nails. Smart as hell. And no nonsense.”

That fit mattered. Burrow wasn’t just playing quarterback—he was living the LSU identity. He danced in the locker room to Boosie Badazz, donned a custom “Burreaux” jersey on Senior Night, and gave heartfelt speeches about the state of Louisiana that brought fans to tears.

“He became one of us,” Orgeron said. “You can’t fake that.”

And in turn, the team took on Burrow’s swagger. They played with confidence, poise, and purpose. What followed was a dream season that reinvigorated LSU’s brand and brought joy to an entire state.

Now years removed from that championship run, Orgeron reflects with gratitude and awe. He’s no longer roaming the sidelines, but he’s at peace. He knows what he and Burrow accomplished can never be taken away.

“You don’t always get to go out on top in this business,” Orgeron said. “But we did. And it started with a phone call.”

He remembers the moment Burrow told him he was coming to LSU. The quarterback’s voice was calm but decisive. There was no fanfare—just quiet determination.

“I knew right then,” Orgeron said. “This kid was special.”

He wasn’t wrong.

Orgeron and Burrow have stayed in touch, checking in from time to time. When Burrow made the Super Bowl with the Bengals in 2022, Orgeron was one of the first to call. When Orgeron stepped away from LSU in 2021, Burrow sent him a text: “Thank you, Coach. For everything.”

That mutual respect remains a cornerstone of their story.

“You go through a lot in this game,” Orgeron said. “Wins, losses, pressure, critics. But every now and then, you meet someone who makes it all worth it. That’s what Joe was to me.”

The impact of Burrow’s time at LSU extended beyond the field. After his Heisman speech in which he mentioned poverty in his hometown of Athens County, fans donated over $500,000 to a local food pantry. In Louisiana, his example inspired countless young athletes.

“He made us proud,” Orgeron said. “And he showed the world what LSU football is all about.”

That’s a legacy that can’t be measured in yards or touchdowns. It lives in the hearts of fans, the smiles of young quarterbacks, and the enduring bond between a coach and his quarterback.

It began with a phone call. It ended with confetti raining down in the Superdome, a national title in hand, and an entire state behind them.

Ed Orgeron’s pitch to Joe Burrow wasn’t flashy or scripted—it was honest, raw, and real. And that authenticity changed both of their lives.

“There’s a lot of great players out there,” Orgeron said. “But only one Joe Burrow.”

The story of LSU’s golden era under Orgeron and Burrow is now legend. But at its core, it’s a story of belief—one Cajun coach and one Ohio quarterback coming together to make magic in Baton Rouge.

And it all started with a private chat.