Analysis: Orgeron makes his case to be LSU's permanent coach

Ed Orgeron the character is a Cajun, Red Bull enthusiast, Hummer salesman, star of “The Blind Side,” and believer in the power of cookies.

Ed Orgeron the man is as competitive as it gets, and that's why he could be the next LSU head coach.

Orgeron the character was in charge of Ole Miss for three disastrous seasons. Orgeron the man has learned from that experience and his stint as interim coach at USC, using those lessons to guide the Tigers to an impressive 38-21 victory over the No. 23 Rebels on Saturday night and three straight wins since taking over for Les Miles.

Having made his bones as defensive line coach for the Miami dynasty, Orgeron helped build another as Pete Carroll’s consigliere and closer for the Trojans. But when it came time to run his own program, Orgeron failed to put those lessons into practice. Orgeron’s staff was a mismatched collection of schemes and philosophies, and he seemed to fight his own instincts.

That changed when Orgeron replaced Lane Kiffin in Sept. 2013. Orgeron brought an upbeat energy and competitive fire to a program ravaged by NCAA scholarship reductions. Orgeron let his coaches coach, let his players have fun, and it translated into six consecutive wins in conference play. However, a dismal loss to crosstown rival UCLA sealed Orgeron’s fate in eyes of a skeptical athletic department, who never saw him as worthy to be the face of their program.

There would be no such issues at LSU. A Louisiana native, Orgeron is “in a state where he doesn’t need an interpreter,” as Brent Musburger cracked during the broadcast.

What will matter is how Orgeron competes in the cutthroat SEC West. It was the growing gap between LSU and Alabama that upped the pressure on Miles, especially Nick Saban’s willingness to adapt on offense while the Tigers stagnated. Saban hired Kiffin, embraced tempo, spread and even zone-read principles to maximize his talent. Miles stuck with Cam Cameron, wasted numerous future NFL stars and never developed a viable quarterback in recent years.

Orgeron has been able to open up the offense while still featuring a seemingly-endless stable of running backs. No one will confuse the passing offense with Texas Tech but it is now competent enough to keep defenses from putting eight or nine men in the box to stop Leonard Fournette or Derrius Guice. Paired with Dave Aranda’s steadily improving defense, that should be a formula that keeps LSU competitive for a brutal closing stretch that includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Texas A&M.

If Orgeron wins three of those four games, that would be a heck of a resume to keep the job, especially if Tom Herman or Jimbo Fisher turn it down. If the choice comes down to Orgeron or another candidate from the second- or third-tier, go with the man with institutional knowledge and a love for the place.

USC chose poorly when faced with that same quandary, threw away two seasons as a result, and is still on shaky footing.

Orgeron is a better coach now than he was at USC, and lightyears better than he was at Ole Miss. If the man can continue to trump the character, Orgeron the winner will be a head coach again.

And not on an interim basis.