It’s another sweltering day on the bayou as a lone pirogue navigates through the lazy waters of a meandering bayou.
A stout Cajun man sits aboard the vessel with his eyes fixated on the surface of the algal waters beneath the mossy cypress trees.
The swamp is teeming with crawfish, and our Cajun friend is looking for the perfect spot to lay his homemade trap and turn those mudbugs into next week’s etouffee.
After a few hours on the water, the Cajun fisherman has worked up quite an appetite and decides to take a lunch break. He opens his Thermos and pours two piping hot bowls of gumbo. One for himself and one for his pet alligator accompanying him on his excursion. To complete the meal, the fisherman whips out his trusty bottle of Tabasco sauce from a holster on his belt, and all is right with the world.
True Louisianans would say that the scene I described is a ridiculous oversimplification of the way of life in the Pelican state. Maybe many people not native to Louisiana would also say that the pet alligator bit is beyond belief.
However, there are times when I feel as if non-Louisiana natives, including members of the national media, truly believe some of the popular stereotypes about life in the boot.
Out struts Ed Orgeron, whose Cajun accent and energetic demeanor help many check the boxes of validation to their ill-conceived notions of Louisiana.
Orgeron was born and raised near Bayou Lafourche and was raised by parents who went by the nicknames of Be Be and Co Co. To some outside of the state, Orgeron is the epitome of Louisiana.
Unfortunately, that means some people will think Orgeron lacks intelligence. After all, Cajuns aren’t typically lauded for their skills in advanced calculus. For the record, I do not believe that the media attempt to paint Orgeron as a Cajun bumpkin. I think they are genuinely enamored with Orgeron’s gravelly voice and affinity to end every interview with a “Geaux Tigers.”
Fans of other teams in the Southeastern Conference are a different story. There is no doubt in my mind that some fans around the South think Orgeron is a fitting leader for the corn dog kingdom.
Some of the jokes made at Orgeron’s expense, I assume, are in good fun. When an Auburn fan asked Gus Malzahn if he planned on bringing a translator to midfield after the game to help him decipher Orgeron’s speech, I don’t think that was meant to be a serious critique of intelligence.
I imagine that there are also some who think that Orgeron isn’t the sharpest crayon in the box. For anyone belonging to that category, I think it’s time to set the record straight.
I don’t know Orgeron personally, but I do know that it’s not simply a matter of luck and connections to continually be hired by top-tier collegiate programs and an NFL franchise. He’s coached at USC, Tennessee, Miami, LSU, and the Saints. At some point, you have to know what you’re talking about to stay in the game.
Parents seem to trust Orgeron’s knowledge of the game enough to allow their sons to continue athletic careers with the Cajun coach. Orgeron is a renowned recruiter and has had an excellent track record with college prospects since he assumed a recruiting coordinator role with USC in 2001.
Orgeron’s mannerisms may affirm Louisiana stereotypes to people who don’t know the difference between gravy and roux. If a lack of intelligence goes along with those assumptions, I simply won’t buy it.
If LSU continues to defy the odds and surprise the college football world, I have a sneaking suspicion that Orgeron will be taken more seriously than playfully as his tenure with the Tigers continues.