It can be fascinating how things turn out. For years, LSU attempted to lure an elite head coach to Baton Rouge but ended up giving the job to a coach no other Power 5 program likely would have hired to run their program.

Despite that odd reality, Ed Orgeron has redeemed his reputation as a head coach following his disastrous run at Ole Miss and has even begun to gain respect nationally as one of the coaches doing the best job in recent seasons.

During his time running the LSU program, Orgeron has a 31-9 overall record with a 17-7 SEC record in Baton Rouge. He has already racked up two more top 10 wins this season by beating Texas on the road and Florida at home.

Following LSU’s 6-0 start, even Paul Finebaum has come around on Orgeron as a head coach.

“You know what I find so interesting, Marcus? Ed Orgeron. Here’s a guy not a single college in America wanted anything to do with,” Finebaum said Tuesday during an appearance on ESPN morning show ‘Get Up!’ “What did LSU want three years ago? They wanted Jimbo Fisher, they went after him hard and they nearly got him, came that close but Jimbo asked for more money so Les Miles survives. The next year, they went after Jimbo again, they begged Tom Herman and they got stuck with Ed Orgeron who is the best coach they have had there in a generation.”

That’s an interesting comment considering Nick Saban and Les Miles both led LSU to national championship victories and the term “generation” can be a loose one. Finebaum did not specify the length of time he was referring to when he made this comment and likely was talking about life after Saban at LSU, but it’s an interesting point nonetheless.

Interestingly, just moments after making this bold statement, Finebaum walked back his comments, noting that we should all reserve judgment on LSU and Orgeron until we see them play Alabama in Tuscaloosa this season.

“We were here a year ago, and I don’t want to rain on this parade – because I love it, too,” Finebaum said. “But a year ago, LSU looked different and they hosted Alabama in a No. 1 vs. No. 3 matchup and they got skunked 28 to nothing (Alabama actually won 29-0). Until they beat Alabama, all this generational stuff? Save it.”