Analysis: Orgeron can build something special at LSU

It took nine years and two interim head coaching gigs, but Coach O finally has full control of a program again.

Despite multiple reports linking Houston's Tom Herman to LSU, it was Orgeron who got the good news from AD Joe Alleva that the job was his. The fact that he wasn't LSU's first choice may sting, but the school now has one of the nation's finest recruiters at the helm and invaluable program continuity moving into 2017.

The Tigers closed the regular season 5-2 under Orgeron, complete with two top-25 victories. The "Orgeron Bump" was noticeable in the team's first three games following Les Miles' ouster, but many college football pundits believed he needed a win over Nick Saban to secure his second head coaching job. As it turned out, all he needed was Tom Herman to pass.

Now that the dust has settled, Coach O has an opportunity to build something special down on the bayou. For starters, he already has a top-five recruiting class, according to both ESPN and 247Sports. The next encouraging factor for the Tigers is that there's a boatload of young talent already on the roster, headlined by Derrius Guice. The sophomore tailback had two 250-plus-yard performances in his final three games of the regular season, and is a near-lock to be a preseason first-team All-SEC selection next summer.

The program's talent, and Orgeron's ability to bring more on board, will keep LSU fans hopeful all offseason, but his ability to assemble a crack coaching staff is what could ultimately separate him from his predecessor. Les Miles' allegiance to Cam Cameron played a huge role in his dismissal, and if Coach O wants to hang around for awhile, he'd be wise to find himself an offensive mastermind.

There's already buzz out of Baton Rouge that LSU will make a play for Lane Kiffin, but that seems like wishful thinking at this point. There are numerous coordinators who could make an instant impact, namely TCU's Sonny Cumbie, USC's Tee Martin, and Cal's Jake Spavital. Also keep an eye on Kliff Kingsbury, should he be fired in Lubbock. He's always been able to coach up quarterbacks, so his failures as a head coach wouldn't scare off Orgeron from taking a run at the charismatic young coach.

Bagging any of those names would also help Orgeron's quest to sign a transformational quarterback. Young passers want to play in QB-friendly systems, for coordinators with a proven track record of success. For this reason, you could see a domino effect in Baton Rouge. Get the coordinator, get the quarterback, and then start lighting up the SEC. That will be the new Orgeron regime's strategy.

Due to the staff uncertainty, the hiring is difficult to grade. Should he lure a top-flight coordinator and play-caller to the Pelican State, he could end up being a home run hire. But if Orgeron can't solve the offensive challenges that have ailed the Tigers for far too long, well then it's fair to say LSU had to settle for a retread hire. We'll likely know which one it is within a matter of a few weeks. Please keep all arms and legs inside the ride until the coaching carousel has come to a complete stop.