USC players had an undeniable connection to Ed Orgeron, especially when the longtime assistant took over as head coach following the firing of Lane Kiffin.

Orgeron was not hired as head coach after the season ended; the university chose Steve Sarkisian instead. Now Sarkisian, who coached with Orgeron as an assistant coach at USC from 2001 to 2003, hopes to add Orgeron to his staff.

“I’ll bring up Ed again here,” Sarkisian told ESPNLA 710. “I thought about him again after the game on the way home. I think when the emotions had died down – and I know it was an emotional time for Ed and he wasn’t named head coach when he thought he deserved it – I would have felt the same way.”

Orgeron resigned and left the team when Sarkisian was hired on December 2.

“When the emotions subside, Ed is a great Trojan and he meant a lot to the Trojan family. If we can give him the opportunity to be a part of this football program and be here with us, we would love to have him with us.”

Orgeron’s presence would definitely be welcome for a roster going through a coaching change. It will be interesting to see if Orgeron decides to return or pursue other opportunities elsewhere.

– – –

H/T ESPN LA

Want to join the conversation? Contact us on Twitter @YahooDrSaturday Be sure to Like Dr. Saturday on Facebook to join in on conversations about football and things you don’t see on the blog.