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LSU football: How will Ed Orgeron and Bo Pelini mesh in Baton Rouge?

By Zach Ragan

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Ed Orgeron of the LSU Tigers during the AdvoCare Classic at AT&T Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Ed Orgeron of the LSU Tigers during the AdvoCare Classic at AT&T Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Ed Orgeron made a big hire this week when he brought in Bo Pelini to be LSU football’s new defensive coordinator.

Ed Orgeron hit a home run by hiring Bo Pelini to be LSU football’s new defensive coordinator.

Pelini served as LSU’s defensive coordinator from 2005-07 under previous head coach Les Miles. During that time, LSU’s scoring defense never finished worse than No. 11 in the nation.

It’s safe to say that Pelini knows what it takes to have success in the SEC.

But while Pelini is familiar with LSU and the SEC, he’s never actually worked with Coach O before.

Pelini’s fiery demeanor is a sharp departure from former defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s quiet, calm presence. How will Orgeron adjust to such a contrasting personality on his staff?

According to a coach who has worked with both Pelini and Orgeron, it shouldn’t be an issue at all.

North Texas special teams coach Mike Ekeler worked with Pelini at Oklahoma, LSU and Nebraska. He worked with Orgeron at USC in 2013 (when Coach O served as the Trojans’ interim head coach).

Ekeler recently told The Athletic that Pelini and Orgeron should mesh well together, saying “I think they can do some great things together”.

Pelini’s former director of football operations John Murphy suggested to The Athletic that Pelini might actually be happier serving as a defensive coordinator, instead of having to deal with all the “extra” stuff that comes with being a head coach. The former Nebraska head coach was never a fan of that aspect of being a head coach.

Just because Pelini and Orgeron each have big personalities doesn’t mean the two will clash.

In fact, I think Pelini is a better fit for Coach O’s staff, from a personality standpoint, than Arnada was.

There’s no doubt that Aranda was an incredibly intelligent/smart defensive coordinator. But having Pelini back at LSU just feels right.

Next. Joe Burrow called his shot during the summer. dark

I’m sure there will be some tense sideline moments in 2020, but I can’t imagine a better person leading LSU’s defense next season than Bo Pelini.

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