“I was about to die, and they saved my life,” Orgeron, 65, said. “First of all, I’m very happy to be here. Dr. Katie’s here, Bud’s here, all the people that helped me live that night. I was about to die, and they saved my life. And I’m very grateful for that. Not only that night, but all through my recovery, these guys have been great. You know, we talk about family, one team, one heartbeat? Our Lady of the Lake got the best family of doctors I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Orgeron said Dr. Katie and Dr. Bud came to his house on a Saturday and Sunday. Dr. Conners opened the hospital on a Sunday so that he could change his “wrap.”

“I mean, you guys are unbelievable,” Orgeron said. “They go far and beyond. But you know what? I’m happy to be here. I’m happy to represent the Tigers. I’m excited about our game on Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Central Standard Time, the LSU fighting Tigers vs. the Alabama Crimson Tide.”

The details of what health issues Orgeron faced still haven’t been made public, as of Thursday afternoon. LSU head football coach Lane Kiffin mentioned that Orgeron was away from the program due to serious health issues. Orgeron returned to the sideline for the Tigers’ wins against Auburn and Mississippi State.

Orgeron, affectionately known as “Coach O,” was the head coach of LSU’s famous 2019 undefeated national championship team that featured the likes of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. LSU fired Orgeron in 2021 after the program’s performance declined.

Kiffin re-hired Orgeron in a different role this past offseason largely due to their past working relationship at USC and Kiffin’s belief in Orgeron’s ability to recruit the state of Louisiana.