Orgeron gets second chance at SEC helm

LSU coach needs to fare better than he did at Ole Miss from 2005-07.

— Ed Orgeron is still an imposing figure at a podium even at 56 years old.

With his barrel chest and booming, gravelly voice, LSU’s new football coach was one of the star attractions at SEC media days. With his gregarious personality, Orgeron talked about the challenge of pushing the Tigers to the top of the league’s loaded West Division.

Ten years ago, it was hard to imagine he would be center stage on this platform.

It’s been nearly a decade since Orgeron was fired from Ole Miss following three mostly dismal seasons as head coach. But the man called “Coach O” has slowly clawed his way back up the coaching ladder and is one of just a handful to get a second chance on the sidelines in the SEC.

Orgeron was reflective, saying he did some soul-searching following his days at Ole Miss. He called his mentors and together they tried to identify the things that led to his trouble with the Rebels. They came up with two things that had to change.

“I was going to treat the team exactly like I treat my sons — no different,” Orgeron said. “And then I was going to treat every coach on the coaching staff with respect and let him coach his position.”

Armed with his new philosophy, Orgeron is trying to make the most of his do-over.

It’s not the first time a coach