Oregon
Know the (possible) Oregon State football coaching candidate: Ed Orgeron
The Oregon State football coaching search is underway, and several names have been floated as potential candidates for the job. It is early in the process as the coaching carousel continues to spin across college football.
As the search rolls on, barring a major announcement or change in the search dynamics, The Oregonian/OregonLive will examine some of the potential candidates for OSU’s next head coach.
Next up is a national championship-winning coach who reportedly showed interest early on:
Ed Orgeron
Most recent job: HC, LSU
Age: 64
Head coaching record: 67-47
Why it works
Coach O is a big name with an even bigger personality, and would bring a flurry of media attention to Oregon State (or “Orgeron State”). The branding and merchandise opportunities alone are immense, and the hire would put the Beavers in the national spotlight.
Orgeron’s tenure at LSU ended on a low note in 2021, but he won a national championship with the Tigers in 2019 while coaching one of the greatest college football teams ever. He would likely elevate Oregon State’s recruiting success significantly from where it is now.
Entertainment factor and all the potential risks aside, this would be the kind of splash hire that injects some life into a downtrodden football program. At least temporarily. Fans have been all over this idea on social media.
Why it might not work
There is also a real chance hiring Orgeron would end up being a flash in the pan, or worse: a failed gimmick. Orgeron struggled through two straight .500 seasons before his dismissal at LSU and comes with some off-field baggage to answer for.
He’s also been out of coaching for four years. If he couldn’t make it work in the early days of NIL, at LSU of all places, who’s to say his name recognition alone is going to make up for the experience gap now? The last thing OSU needs is someone who doesn’t fully grasp the modern landscape, so the question would be whether Orgeron has both done his homework and can build a staff around him that makes up for potential shortcomings.
There is a fine line between an exciting risk and an off-the-rails sideshow. Other programs have sought the former and ended up with the latter (see: Arizona State under Herm Edwards). OSU is in a precarious place with its football program and has far less runway to recover from that level of possible failure.
Is he interested in Oregon State?
It seems like he is, but things might have changed. Early on in the process, Orgeron was one of the first names we heard. Credible reports indicated he was interested in the OSU job and would take it if offered.
But better jobs have opened up since then, including at LSU, where Orgeron has since publicly stated he’d be glad to return. That doesn’t exactly scream “all in” on the Beavers.
Whether OSU is even interested in taking this gamble in the first place is another matter. But Beavers fans have to be wary of the possibility that Orgeron is simply desperate for a return to coaching and using their situation as a springboard.
Know the other (possible) candidates:
Brent Vigen
Paul Chryst
Brennan Marion
JaMarcus Shephard
Kevin Cummings
Nick Rolovich
Oregon State (2-8) at Tulsa (2-7)
- When: Saturday, Nov. 15
- Time: 10:00 a.m. PT
- Where: H.A. Chapman Stadium — Tulsa, OK
- TV Channel: None
- Stream: ESPN+
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Gov. Tina Kotek’s commitment to boosting prosperity through economic development is encouraging, and I hope her efforts are successful, (“Oregon’s governor unveiled a ‘roadmap’ to business prosperity. Here’s what’s at stake,” Dec. 2). Too often, Oregon’s leading industries and businesses hear platitudes on the importance of economic development only to witness actions that dilute economic development funds, which provide high returns on investment.
Oregon hospitality and leisure is the third-largest private employer sector, creating more than 200,000 jobs and generating $14 billion in annual economic activity – driven in part by state and local lodging taxes.
The state’s 1.5% lodging tax raises approximately $40 million a year and is reinvested in economic development, including tourism promotion and related infrastructure. But some state lawmakers are trying to increase the tax and divert the additional revenue for things without economic benefits – things which should be paid for with general funds. Worse yet, there are efforts to change how county and city lodging taxes are distributed.
State and local lodging taxes are designed to be an economic development tool, and the current system has proven itself – a $40 million investment at the state level and hundreds of millions at local levels for a $14 billion return.
The economic headwinds facing Oregon’s economy are fierce. We should be laser focused on creating the strongest multiplier effect we can with these finite economic development resources. If lawmakers care about Oregon’s economic prosperity, they will abandon these harmful proposals in the upcoming session, and the governor should rebuke any efforts contrary to the goals of her economic development roadmap.
Jason Brandt
Brandt is president and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association
To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
The No. 5 Oregon Ducks thrive on establishing the run before unveiling their explosive plays, and this season is no different with an offensive line that’s a finalist for the coveted Joe Moore Award given to the nation’s best offensive front.
When it comes to creating gaps to run the rock, protecting quarterback Dante Moore, and leading the Oregon trenches once again filled with mostly transfer starters, center Iapani “Poncho” Laloulu is the go-to guy who’s getting major awards nods.
With his first start occurring during Oregon’s Vrbo Fiesta Bowl game against Liberty at the end of the 2023 season as a freshman, the junior from Honolulu, Hawaii is continuing to impress during his junior year as the Ducks prepare to enter the first round of the College Football Playoff against No. 12 James Madison.
Iapani “Poncho” Laloulu Recognized For Multiple Awards
The originator of Oregon’s offensive line nickname “The Law Firm”, Laloulu is currently a finalist for the Rimington Trophy and the Polynesian Player of the Year Award. The Rimington Trophy is awarded to the nation’s best center selected by a group of four different prestigious groups.
Only one Oregon offensive lineman has earned the honor since it began in 2000, with Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson receiving the Rimington Trophy in 2023. Laloulu succeeded Powers-Johnson as Oregon’s starting center.
The other centers in the running include Iowa’s Logan Jones and Florida’s Jake Slaughter.
Iapani “Poncho” Laloulu Could Join Elite Group
The Polynesian Player of the Year Award is given to the most impressive player of Polynesian descent and is presented by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. Past Oregon winners include Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (the first ever winner) and Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell.
Mariota and Sewell also won the professional level version of this award along with Indianapolis Colt and fellow former Duck, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.
MORE: Oregon’s Breakout Freshman Emerges As Potential X-Factor For The Playoff
MORE: Why Cleveland Moving On From Dillon Gabriel Could Be a Blessing in Disguise
MORE: Four-Star Safety Makes Recruiting Announcement With Oregon, Alabama, Ohio State
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE!
Consistency Amid Offensive Line Changes
One of the primary arguments for Laloulu winning the Rimington Trophy is his ability to work with three entirely different squads throughout his time with the Ducks. Throughout transfer portal deals and recruitment additions, Laloulu is a consistent leader.
Entering his sophomore year, Laloulu led an entirely new look like with guard Nishad Strother, guard Marcus Harper II, tackle Ajani Cornelius, and tackle Josh Conerly Jr. That 2024-2025 offensive line, after a fair amount of struggles in the start of the season, employed Laloulu as the starting center in the Oregon State and UCLA game to end the season as a Joe Moore finalist for the second year straight.
Then, when all but Laloulu departed the team due to draft declarations and eligibility, Laloulu once again helmed a Joe Moore Award finalist line, the third in a row for Oregon and the fourth finalist placing since 2019.
“To see the difference that Poncho is, like there’s a confidence in his game that I think we’ve all known he was going to be a really good player, but to see him now match that maturity and match that confidence in his game because he knows he’s a really good player,” said Oregon offensive line coach A’lique Terry. “I think our whole team is feeling it. He’s a clear leader. He helps us in every single aspect, as far as communication. You can see the player he’s grown into.”
Strength Throughout Challenges
Another factor in Laloulu’s strong performance this season is persistence through injury. During Oregon’s final regular season home game against the USC Trojans, Laloulu exited the game in the first quarter after a left foot/ankle injury. Though second string center Charlie Pickard filled in the gaps fairly well for Laloulu to help secure an Oregon victory.
Laloulu, though not appearing again during the game and evidently limping, appeared the very next week on the road against Washington, showing the grit he possesses as Oregon’s starting center.
Willamette Week is in the middle of our most important annual fundraiser. As a local independent news outlet, we need your help.
Give today. Hold power to account.
Tens of thousands of Aetna members in Oregon will have easier, cheaper access to Providence Oregon hospitals and clinics after the large insurer and heath system reached a deal.
As part of a multi-year agreement, Providence Health & Services recently announced that its facilities in Portland and around the state were back in-network as of Dec. 1 for members of Aetna’s commercial plans.
This comes nearly a year after Aetna, a large health insurer owned by industry behemoth CVS Health, dropped Providence Oregon from its network when negotiations broke down due to a conflict over rate increases—the sort that have been roiling the health care industry as costs skyrocket.
“Providence will once again be a valued partner in our efforts to serve Aetna members in Oregon with access to high-quality, convenient care,” says Cathy Hughes, an executive for Aetna’s western region, in a written statement.
Still, the deal will take different forms in different parts of the state. Providence facilities will be in-network for Aetna’s commercial plans throughout the state. But only in Southern Oregon will Aetna’s Medicare Advantage have in-network access to Providence facilities.
An Aetna spokesman declined to share company membership data for Oregon, but government databases make some details available, and indicate Aetna’s Medicare Advantage market in Oregon is only a fraction of the size of its commercial market.
According to a federal dataset, about 5,000 people in the Tri-County area around Portland—and 14,000 in Oregon overall—are members of an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan.
Meanwhile, a state database indicates about 50,000 Oregon residents were as of Sept. 30 enrolled in one of Aetna’s commercial insurance plans. And more than 250,000 Oregon residents were members of self-insured plans—the sort run by large employers—of which Aetna is the administrator.
Aetna says the deal will be a boon for these members, too. “Self-insured customers fall under our Aetna commercial plans,” CVS Health spokesman Phillip Blando tells WW. “So Oregon residents on Aetna self-insured plans will now have in-network access to Providence.”
Utah hit with largest measles outbreak in over 30 years
WCAX Investigates: Police participation in border program draws scrutiny
Feds want graduate nursing programs to reduce costs. This Virginia nurse worries changes will increase debt.
Portland State tabs Division II coach to take over football program
Wisconsin loses starting offensive lineman to the transfer portal
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Video: Hiker Rescued From Quicksand in Arches National Park
The Speaker’s Lobby: What Congress’ December script means for healthcare next year
Coalition of the Willing calls for transatlantic unity for Ukraine
In a setback for Trump, Indiana lawmakers defeat redistricting plan
House Dem to force Trump impeachment vote on 2 articles
-
Alaska5 days agoHowling Mat-Su winds leave thousands without power
-
Politics1 week agoTrump rips Somali community as federal agents reportedly eye Minnesota enforcement sweep
-
Ohio1 week agoWho do the Ohio State Buckeyes hire as the next offensive coordinator?
-
Texas5 days agoTexas Tech football vs BYU live updates, start time, TV channel for Big 12 title
-
News1 week agoTrump threatens strikes on any country he claims makes drugs for US
-
World1 week agoHonduras election council member accuses colleague of ‘intimidation’
-
Washington2 days agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa4 days agoMatt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire