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10 College football coaches who probably didn’t deserve to be fired

By Michael Collins

Oct 3, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt reacts during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt reacts during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; LSU Tigers defensive line coach Ed Orgeron instructs his players on the bench during the fourth quarter of a game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. LSU won the game 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; LSU Tigers defensive line coach Ed Orgeron instructs his players on the bench during the fourth quarter of a game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. LSU won the game 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 8: Ed Orgeron – USC, 2013

Head Coaching Years: 2013 (Interim)
Overall record with school: 6-2
Reason for dismissal: Athletic Director decision

In the never-ending saga of “The Next Pete Carroll” in Southern California, Ed Orgeron barely had a bit part, but he was certainly deserving of a starring role.

While Orgeron was never truly hired as head coach, and was never actually “fired” (although I guess if you hold a job and then it’s not offered to you to continue it, you’ve been fired) he still belongs on this list as he was never really given the opportunity to continue the good work he started after being dubbed with the dubious “interim” label following the mid-season sacking of Lane Kiffin in 2013.

Orgeron took a completely lost and desolate season and spun it into gold for the Trojans, who finished the season 10-4 after a shoddy 3-2 start to the season under Kiffin.

He had the ears and respect of the players, and he’s well-known for his recruiting prowess. Why the now-defunct athletic director Pat Haden opted not to retain Oregon as his full-time head coach is still baffling.

Orgeron was vocally upset with the decision, and his angry words and resignation prior to the bowl game didn’t help his case on a national level, but considering how things have typically gone down in Tinsel Town over the past decade, that’s not surprising.

Keeping Orgeron in place as head coach may have saved USC a lot of the embarrassment witnessed over the Steve Sarkisian reign, and the Trojans might once again be in the national title discussion instead of breaking in yet another new head coach.

Next: Georgia

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