University of Tennessee Athletics
Catching Up With Ed Orgeron
September 01, 2009 | Football
Sept. 1, 2009
BY DREW EDWARDS
UTSports.com
When Tennessee faces Western Kentucky on Saturday afternoon (TV: SEC Network, 12:21 p.m.), it marks the beginning of another football season.
It also marks a return to college football for defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron, who talks about that and more in this Q&A.
Saturday is your first game back in college football. How excited are you to be back in that environment?
"I love it. I belong in the college game. I like the pros. But I like what we're doing here. I like working with Lane."
You guys have had a lot of scrimmages and preseason games as you guys call them, but how ready are you to see this team in an actual game?
"I'm very confident that we're going to perform well. I really think that we've got a good group. I expect nothing but their best. There's always going to be something that comes up unexpected that we're going to have to fix, but I think we're going to perform well."
Gerald Williams made a real surge during fall camp. What do you like most about what he's doing right now?
"He's a linebacker that moved to defensive end. He kind of reminds me of those guys we used to have at Miami. Very athletic. Quick. He's savvy. I like his personality -- he comes to work every day. And he makes a lot of plays. He's gets his hand on the ball. He just has a knack of getting to the football."
Montori Hughes has impressed people for a while. What goes into getting a true freshman ready to play at a position like defensive tackle?
"It's being consistent with fundamentals and technique. He's still not there yet, but he definitely has the tools. He came here very raw, but he definitely has the tools. But you can see him making progress each day and each week."
How good can Chris Walker be at defensive end?
"I think he can be one of the best ends in the SEC. I expect that from him. He hasn't done it yet. He hasn't made a play yet. But I think eventually he should be one of the best pass rushers in the country by his senior year."
What are you looking forward to the most on Saturday?
"Our first quarterback sack/fumble."
That was a quick response.
"Yes (smiles). I love that play, and I want to see our guys do it. But really, being on the sideline with Coach Kiffin, Lane, and how much it means to him. I want to see him on his first day. I want to see the team in a game-type atmosphere. I want to see the whole college atmosphere."
