Former Tennessee defensive line coach Ed Orgeron made an appearance at Monday’s Knoxville Quarterback Club meeting at Calhoun’s on the River. It marked the first time Orgeron returned to Knoxville since leaving with former head coach Lane Kiffin for Southern California after the 2009 season. Orgeon’s appearance comes days before Kiffin– now Alabama’s offensive coordinator– makes his first appearance at Neyland Stadium since resigning after one season.

“I told [Lane Kiffin], ‘Hey man, I’m going to Knoxville,’ ” Orgeron said during Monday’s Knoxville Quarterback Club meeting at Calhoun’s on the River. “He said, ‘Go test the waters for me.’

The Vols finished 7-5 in 2009, marking their last winning season. Kiffin and members of his staff, including Orgeron, left for USC in January 2010, spurning many Tennessee fans who had high expectations for the new regime in Knoxville.

“The way we left wasn’t what we wanted. I’m not apologizing for it,” Orgeron said. “But I wish it could have been a little smoother.”

Kiffin, whom Southern Cal fired midway through his third season, was hired by Alabama in January. Orgeron was named the interim coach at USC following Kiffin’s dismissal, but wasn’t offered the head coaching position despite posting a 7-2 record, including an upset of nationally ranked Stanford.

Orgeron is taking a break from coaching, but hopes to be a head coach once again. Before joining Kiffin at Tennessee, Orgeron was the head coach at Ole Miss from 2005-07.

“I’ve been living in a hotel for five years,” he said. “I just thought it was time to give to my family. I’ve gotten to see my sons play this year.

“But I can promise you, I’m ready to get back into coaching.”