Orgeron fired at Ole Miss

Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron and his entire staff were fired Saturday morning, the Press-Register has learned.

Ole Miss lost a 17-14 decision at Mississippi State Friday, blowing a 14-0 fourth-quarter lead and finishing the season with an overall record of 3-9, including an 0-8 mark in Southeastern Conference play.

Orgeron's decision Friday to go for a first down on fourth-and-1 from the Ole Miss 48 yard-line midway through the fourth quarter _ with the Rebels nursing a two-touchdown lead _ was heavily criticized and served as the final straw for his regime. The former Southern California defensive line coach/recruiting coordinator admitted the decision to go for a first down rather than punt changed the momentum of Friday's Egg Bowl.

In three seasons at the school after replacing David Cutcliffe, Orgeron was just 3-21 in SEC play. Overall, Orgeron won just 10 games while losing 26. In addition, the program was embarrassed recently when 20 Rebel football players were put on internal probation for stealing alarm clocks and pillows from hotels in Montgomery and Tupelo, Miss., on the night before football games.

A message left for Ole Miss athletic director Pete Boone was not immediately returned but two separate sources close to the Ole Miss program confirmed the decision not to retain Orgeron and his staff for a fourth season will be announced officially today at noon at the Rebels' indoor practice facility. Ole Miss will owe Orgeron $500,000.

An early list of candidates to replace Orgeron include Arkansas coach Houston Nutt, Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisal, Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, Houston coach Art Briles and former Texas A&M; and Alabama coach Dennis Franchione.

--Neal McCready