Ed Orgeron fulfills lifelong dream with LSU coaching job

— -- Ed Orgeron is one of college football's biggest personalities, and for much of his life, he's done everything big.

He's coached big, played big, lived big -- and, yes -- he's also dreamed big.

On Saturday, this self-described Cajun brawler realized one of his most cherished childhood dreams when LSU introduced him?as its full-time head football coach.

For somebody who grew up on LSU football in the small Cajun town of Larose, Louisiana and helped lead South Lafourche High School to a state championship in 1977, Orgeron considered the "Tigahs," as he calls them in his unmistakable baritone voice, football royalty. He listened to every game on the radio with his late father and envisioned former LSU great Ronnie Estay devouring ball-carriers.

His playing career lasted about two weeks at LSU, as he grew homesick and returned home after turning down a chance during the recruiting process to go to Alabama and play for Bear Bryant.

But just like Orgeron's lifelong friend, former NFL QB and Louisiana native Bobby Hebert, notes, it was sacrilegious in those days to leave the state and play for anybody else if you had the ability to play at LSU. In fact, when Bryant called the Orgeron house hoping to arrange a visit, Ed Orgeron Sr. (or Be'Be', as he was known to family and friends) told Bryant not to bother, that his son was going to LSU.

So imagine the pride Orgeron felt when LSU officials told him early Saturday morning that he was their man.