Sometimes the worst circumstances can create unexpected opportunities. And that’s exactly what’s playing out in Columbia right now. South Carolina’s defensive line coach, Travian Robertson, has been sidelined since August 22 after a devastating head-on collision with a suspected drunk driver. The 36-year-old former NFL defensive lineman has been working virtually to help with game planning from home, but he hasn’t been able to attend a single game this season.

And while everyone’s pulling for Robertson to make a full recovery and get back on the sidelines, there’s a glaring hole in Shane Beamer’s coaching staff that needs filling. And one legendary former national championship coach just might be the perfect temporary solution. Ed Orgeron told On3’s Andy Staples recently that he’s ready to leave his South Beach high-rise and get back into college football by December, when his lease is up. 

But here’s the twist that makes this South Carolina situation so intriguing. Coach O isn’t demanding a head coaching job. “I’m not gonna take anything, and not everybody’s gonna take me,” Orgeron told Staples in a remarkably candid interview. “So, it may be a head coach job. It may be a defensive line job with someone that I believe can win a championship. …I’m a championship coach and I’m gonna bring a winning program to their university.”

Orgeron has actually done this before. After his first head coaching stint at Ole Miss ended badly from 2005-07, he took defensive line jobs to rebuild his reputation before eventually landing at USC as an interim and then at LSU. The question is whether South Carolina and Orgeron could find that symbiotic relationship both sides need right now.​

The timing couldn’t be more perfect for both parties if they wanted to make this work. Orgeron lives for coaching defensive linemen. It’s what he did between his Ole Miss and LSU gigs, and it’s what made him one of the most respected position coaches in the country before he became a head coach. South Carolina desperately needs someone who can bring energy and expertise to a defensive line room that’s lost its primary teacher.

So how has South Carolina’s defensive line actually performed without Robertson on the sidelines? The results have been mixed at best. The Gamecocks are currently second in the SEC in defensive touchdowns. They’re creating big plays, but the overall defensive performance has been inconsistent during their 3-4 start. According to ESPN’s team stats, South Carolina has allowed opponents to convert 33.33% on third downs and has given up an average of 20.1 points per game. This is not terrible, but not elite either. They’ve just been good instead of great, which in the SEC means you’re losing close games.​

Now, it’s important to note that this is pure speculation. There’s been no indication that South Carolina has reached out to Ed Orgeron or that he’s specifically targeting Columbia. But the opportunity is sitting right there if both sides wanted to explore it as a temporary solution while Robertson continues his recovery. Ed Orgeron told Staples he’s being picky about his next destination and wants “a fit” where he believes he can help win a championship. 

For Ed Orgeron, it would be a chance to stay relevant in the SEC while showing he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get back in the game, just like he did after Ole Miss. Whether this actually happens is anyone’s guess. But sometimes the best partnerships are born out of necessity. And right now, both South Carolina and Coach O have needs that could complement each other perfectly.​

Coach O keeps saying yes; somebody just needs to ask

Ed Orgeron isn’t exactly playing hard to get these days. The man’s been making the rounds across Louisiana like he’s campaigning to get back in the game. When reporter Jacques Doucet cornered him at a Louisiana ceremony recently and asked the question everyone’s been dying to know (you ready to coach again?), Coach O didn’t hesitate: “All depends on what the best thing available is. I have a little meat left in the bone, I’m ready to go.”

Then on October 7, he showed up at Grambling State’s practice before their homecoming matchup with Texas Southern. And delivered a pep talk to the G-Men that had the whole program fired up. Grambling State Football even thanked him on social media for “stopping by practice and sharing words of wisdom.” And you could feel the energy through the screen. 

For a guy who’s been out of coaching for nearly four years since LSU parted ways with him after the 2021 season, Orgeron’s staying more visible than most active coaches. And these things make his recent comments to Andy Staples about being willing to take a defensive line job so interesting. He’s not just throwing that out there as lip service. 

Whether it’s that South Carolina defensive line job that’s been vacant since Travian Robertson’s accident in August, or somewhere else entirely, Orgeron’s making it crystal clear that he’s ready to get his boots back in the dirt. The question isn’t if he wants back in. Which program is smart enough to pick up the phone first?​