Orgeron good fit with Saints

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By Christopher Gordy

For Coach Ed Orgeron, returning home to coach in Louisiana was always a dream of his. After coaching three losing seasons as head coach at Ole Miss, Orgeron was relieved of his duties in November 2007. That’s when New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis came calling.

“I’m happy to be with the Saints,” said Orgeron. “I’m looking forward to being a defensive line coach in the NFL (for the first time) and coaching with Sean Payton.”

Orgeron had previously served as defensive line coach at schools like USC, Syracuse and Miami, before becoming a first time head coach at Mississippi.

“Defensive line is what I know how to do,” said Orgeron. “There should be very few surprises for me on a daily basis. Being a head coach for the first time, every day was new with new experiences. Coaching the defensive line, I feel comfortable. I know what to get done, and I really think that I can help the Saints defensive line.”

Orgeron will add a high tempo attitude and coaching style to a defensive line that has been pretty dismal for the past few seasons. Last season, the Saints defense ranked 26th overall, allowing 348 yards a game. The Saints also finished 19th in the league in sacks with 32. But Orgeron said the Saints have all the right pieces to have one of the best defensive lines in the country.

“You look at two years ago; Charles Grant had a tremendous year rushing the passer,” said Orgeron. “I think Will Smith is one of the better defensive ends in the NFL. But we also signed Bobby McCray, who I think is going to help us on our third down pass rush. Brian Young is a guy that gives you something every down. Hollis Thomas is a big nose tackle, moves very quick inside. So I think we have a pretty good defensive line.”

“Just to get the nuts and bolts of the defense under Gary Gibbs who I think is a tremendous coach is a great thing,” said Orgeron.

While Orgeron was an assistant coach at USC, he was highly regarded as one of the best recruiters in the nation. At USC, he brought in top defensive recruits like Keith Rivers and Sedrick Ellis. So when Orgeron joined the Saints’ staff, he offered a first-hand assessment on Ellis before the Saints drafted him.

“Sedrick is a very tough, well coached football player,” said Orgeron. “I think that he is a tremendous draft choice, as we thought the same about Glenn Dorsey. But we felt we needed a big defensive lineman that could come in and help us out right now.”

Ellis is expected to contribute immediately on the Saints defensive line and should help in adding pressure to opposing quarterbacks. The Saints also added linebacker Jonathan Vilma in the off season to help shore up the Saints rush defense that allowed 102 yards rushing per game last year.

“We’re excited about Jonathan Vilma coming in,” said Orgeron. “He plays in a 4-3 defense and he was rookie of the year his first year. He’s a tremendous player, and I think he’s really going to help out our defense.”

“I know Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis will continue to go out and get the best players available to help the Saints go to the Super Bowl.”

But Orgeron said he is looking forward to having a lot of free time being defensive line coach in his home state, as opposed to being head coach at Ole Miss.

“I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family,” said Orgeron. “And being home, my family loves it. Being a part of the Saints organization is a dream come true.”

Originally Published: Issue 690 - June 25, 2008

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