QUENTIN — For Marcus Tillman, the news of coach head coach EdOrgeron’s firing came as a surprise Saturday afternoon. After goingwinless in the SEC, for the first time in 25 years, Orgeron wasfired after three seasons at Ole Miss.

“I heard the news,” said Tillman from his Quentin home. “Weworked hard this year and having this happen is a tough way to endthe year.”

Tillman, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound defensive end out of FranklinCounty, was one of the jewel recruits Orgeron signed during histenure. Tillman picked Ole Miss late over LSU and Alabama during anintense recruiting war which Orgeron and the Rebels won.

As a starter in all 12 of the Rebels games this season, and 11last year. Tillman went through his first losing seasons of hiscareer. Ole Miss finished 3-9 and 0-8 in the SEC this year.

“We were a couple of plays here and there, that could haveturned the season around,” said Tillman. “It’s hard losing, afterputting in so many hours of hard work.”

Ole Miss lost several close games over the last two seasons,which included losses at home against Florida and Alabama, wherethe Rebels held fourth quarter leads. Ole Miss lost to MississippiState Saturday in the Egg Bowl 17-14, after holding a 14-0advantage in the fourth quarter.

Orgeron went 10-25 during his three seasons at Ole Miss and 3-21in the SEC. The Rebels lost eight SEC games by six or fewer pointsduring that span.

Aljoshua Tillman, a Class of 2008 Ole Miss commitment, andcousin to Marcus out of Franklin County, was caught off guard bythe news of Orgeron’s firing.

“I didn’t know anything about it,” said Aljoshua Tillman. “Ikind of thought it was going to happen, with all the losses andstuff this year and people talking about it. But I really didn’texpect it this quick.”

Tillman verbally committed to Ole Miss in July. He is stillreceiving heavy recruiting interest from Southern Miss, Auburn, andLSU.

“I’ve got offers on the table from Auburn and USM,” addedAljoshua. “I’m going to have to see who is named the new coach atOle Miss and all before I make my final decision in February(National Signing Day).”

Former Texas A&M head coach Dennis Franchione, who resignedfrom his post Friday, could be an early favorite to replace Orgeronat Ole Miss. The list of possible candidates is expected to includeseveral high-profile SEC assistants as well and other current andformer coaches throughout the nation.

“It should be interesting who is named the next coach,” saidAljoshua Tillman. “One of the big reasons why I committed to OleMiss early was because of Coach O and playing with my cousin Marcus(Tillman). I really don’t know what to think right now.”