#LSU coach Ed Orgeron denies Derrius Guice rape coverup

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LSU coach Ed Orgeron and Derrius Guice
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LSU football coach Ed Orgeron denied accusations that he knew of an alleged sexual assault involving Derrius Guice and the girlfriend of a former player, saying in a statement it is “not accurate” that he told the player, “Everybody’s girlfriend sleeps with other people.”

“Out of respect for the young man’s privacy, I will not reveal the full details of the conversation,” Orgeron wrote on Twitter. “What I will say is that a player came into my office to discuss transferring from our program. We also discussed the player’s relationship challenges with his girlfriend. I told him what I would tell my own sons: ‘We all experience heartbreak growing up. Do not throw away a promising academic and football career at LSU because of a personal obstacle.’ Any insinuation that I had knowledge of Derrius Guice and his girlfriend is completely false.

“The sexual assault allegations made against Derrius Guice should be taken very seriously and the alleged victims must be heard and supported. I will always stand up for what is right and without question, I have complied — and will continue to comply — with all university Title IX protocols and procedures.”

Guice, released by the Washington football team recently after he was involved in multiple domestic violence cases in Virginia, is facing allegations from two former students of rape within months of each other in 2016. USA Today reported that an anonymous former LSU player approached Orgeron about it. The two women didn’t report the incidents to police, but did tell two LSU coaches, along with a school administrator and nurse, USA Today reported.

“I can’t say too much about the details, but I can say given my time at LSU that I would be surprised if we did not follow our procedures and our policies,” LSU interim president Tom Galligan told WAFB on Thursday. “Of course I would also be concerned if we did not follow our procedures and our policies.”

A second-round pick in 2018, the troubled Guice is currently a free agent.