Ed Orgeron says he's ready to come back to USC

Less than a year after leaving USC, former interim coach Ed Orgeron wants back in the mix.

Orgeron told L.A. Times columnist Bill Plaschke he would entertain an offer to be an assistant on coach Steve Sarkisian’s staff if Sarkisian asked.

But that's the thing, Sarkisian did ask — 11 months ago.

Orgeron said he was so hurt he didn’t get the head-coaching job after helping steer the Trojans through the firing of former coach Lane Kiffin that he couldn’t bear the thought of being around the program. Orgeron was 6-2 with the Trojans and helped them to a bowl game after they started the season 3-2.

"Pat Haden was gracious and kind and generous to me, Sark is a friend who made me an outstanding offer, everyone there has been nothing but classy and professional with me," Orgeron told the Times. "But it just hurt too bad to suddenly not be their head coach. Maybe me staying for the bowl game, being positive, that could have helped me in the long run, but I was heartbroken and I couldn't fake it."

But after spending a year as a stay-at-home dad and watching his two 15-year-old boys excel in tennis and football, Orgeron said he wouldn’t mind getting back in the game.

"I will be a USC Trojan forever, and, I don't know what they're thinking, but the door to come back there is always open in my mind," Orgeron told the paper. "If the right situation comes up this year and they ask me to go back, I'd be more than happy to listen.

"I'd come back as an assistant. I love the people there. I'm with my family now, but I miss my family there. I miss 'em right now. In the belly."

Sarkisian was asked Monday whether welcoming Orgeron back into the fold would be something he’d entertain, and Sarkisian sidestepped the question stating he didn’t speak about hypothetical situations.

“Ed’s a terrific football coach,” Sarkisian said. “He’s a friend of mine. I have a great deal of respect for Ed, but quite honestly, we play Cal Thursday night at 6 o’clock.”

For more USC news, visit TrojanSports.com.

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