Just got a text message that Rivals.com's Jamie Newberg has confirmed from Da Coach O hisself that Orgeron is not, repeat not, despite all of the reports to the contrary, going to LSU.
This thread at Tiger Droppings has been churning for about an hour with the story that once Lane Kiffin heard that Orgeron had decided to join up with LSU, that he and Monte flew down to see O and would not leave him alone until they had his signature saying he'd be coaching at Tennessee next year.
Details as they develop, but, assuming this is in fact true, it's a huge victory for Kiffin and Company.
[Note by Joel, 12/31/08 6:45 PM EST ] Rivals has now posted.
[Note by Joel, 12/31/08 6:46 PM EST ] And WBIR and the Times-Picayune follow. The latter says that Tennessee offered Orgeron "something close to $900,000."
[Note by Joel, 12/31/08 6:58 PM EST ] Aaaaand the clincher: ESPN, who has a quote from Orgeron:
"I'm so excited," Orgeron said via phone. "I get to coach with Monte [Kiffin] and I'm getting to recruit again. It's pedal to the metal and I can't wait to get up there." ESPN says Coach O will get $650,000.