A Day With Coach Orgeron

— -- MANDEVILLE, La. -- Ed Orgeron stirs a massive pot of gumbo the same way he would lead his defensive linemen through a drill during the dog days of preseason camp.

Beads of sweat forming on his forehead, Orgeron doesn't just stir this Cajun delicacy whipped up by his mother, known affectionately as "Co Co." He attacks it, making sure it's just right for serving.

Sure enough, the roux is heavenly, not to mention all of the ingredients that go with it.

"In Louisiana, you better know how to do two things -- swim and make a roux," Orgeron jokes.

It's game day at the Orgeron household, and like any football coach worth his salt, he has his ritual down to a science.

Only these days, the man they call "Coach O" isn't coaching, at least not until December, when he's sure to emerge as one of the hottest free agents on the market. He's too busy being a husband, father, cook and the biggest (and loudest) Mandeville High School fan on the planet while soaking up life on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain.

And when he says he's ready, he means it.