Les Has More At LSU MILES INHERITS TONS OF TALENT IN FIRST SEASON WITH TIGERS By Jerry L. Reed The Morning News HOOVER, Ala. -- Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban might be making players cry in the National Football League, but don't shed any tears for Les Miles. Miles succeeded Saban as the latest LSU coach -- he's the 32nd in school history -- on Jan. 3, and the cupboard was completely full. Saban helped create this gridiron monster and Miles now has to feed it. LSU won the national championship in 2003 -- it actually shared it with Southern Cal -- then finished 9-3 in Saban's last season before his exit. Enter Miles, a 51-year-old Ohio native, who bears a striking resemblance to actor Kurt Russell. Actually that's kind of appropriate since Saban will be a hard act to follow in Baton Rouge, La. Miles made his official debut in the Southeastern Conference last Friday during the final day of the annual SEC Football Media Days here in the Wynfrey Hotel. It was his first big audience of print and broadcast journalists who cover the SEC on a regular basis. Miles addressed the press with a bright yellow tie with diagonal purple stripes (LSU's school colors) wrapped around his neck and a toothy smile spread across his mug. One figured he'd have to be happy about taking over a powerful football program which welcomes back 18 returning starters and 47 quality lettermen. Miles spent the past four years as the coach at Oklahoma State -- it was his first college head coaching gig -- honing his craft. As he took center stage, he also tried to step out of the long, almost legendary, shadow of Saban, who brought LSU its first national title since 1958. His opening statement was brief and to the point. "We had a nice spring," Miles said. "Felt like it was very productive. I felt like the introduction to the team and the coaching staff went well. "Enjoyed very much getting around the state of Louisiana and meeting the people that support our program, a number of alumni functions. Really gave me an impression that there's a very special past that surrounds LSU Football. "I think the summer has gone well for our to the football team. I think we're in great shape. I think that we look forward to reporting August 6th and developing and building a team that will pursue championships." That sounded mighty good to Tigers running back Joseph Addai, who rushed for 680 yards and averaged 6.7 yards-per-carry while scoring 3 touchdowns in 2004. "Coach Miles is more of an offensive guy and coach Saban was more of a defensive guy, but they both have the same goals and strategies," Addai said. "What coach Miles has to offer will help us out a lot. Of course, I like that he is more of an offensive coach because it benefits me. Mostly he is building on what coach Saban taught us. The guys have adapted and we like him and are excited to play for him." But ... Does defensive tackle Kyle Williams feel the same, simply because he plays on the other side of the ball? It seems so. "It doesn't bother me as long as the team is getting proper respect," Williams said. "Coach Miles has been well received by the LSU and Baton Rouge community. "I have bonded with him. "We are going to have a strong team this season. We will surprise everybody with our cornerbacks on defense. We have a ton of talented running backs on offense." Miles recognizes keeping LSU elevated to the highest level of competition is expected, but he doesn't seemed to be overly concerned. He addressed that when the subject was broached last week. "I never really paid much attention to polls and preseason predictions," Miles said. "I think it's a compliment to the talent that's on our team. I don't think talent in and of itself is the reason why you win championships. I don't think that that will determine where we finish. "It will be a character and style and chemistry that's developed through a season at LSU that will determine where we finish. Some people pick us in a position where it is a compliment and some people pick us in the position where we certainly aspire to finish higher. "So I am not big on polls and predictions" Miles definitely comes into a different scenario than the one he had in Stillwater, Okla., trying to rebuild Oklahoma State. He addressed that, too. "The process, the physical process is the same," Miles said. "The feeling of great expectations are enjoyed. The fact that we have some talent, the fact that this football team comes in expecting to achieve, certainly that's what we want. "That's what any coach would want. So I enjoy that. There's some activity that I don't have to entertain. I don't have to convince anybody. We understand that if we do the things that we're capable of doing that we have a chance to have a special season. more here "I don't think that there will be limitations based on talent; it will be limitations on other variables." Crying probably isn't one of them :hihi: :hihi:
