By Matthew Zemek GatorCountry.com Date: Aug 11, 2005 Out West in the SEC, comfort and uneasiness coexist in Baton Rouge these days. There’s reason to feel both extremely assured and markedly unsettled at the same time for those who say, “Geaux Tigers.” The comfort doesn’t necessarily come from the fact that the Bayou Bengals have, on paper, the best team in the division (though they do), but because their competition simply lacks the potency to match up with their speed and depth. How will Auburn replace its massive skill position losses --- and the leadership intangibles accompanying those departed players --- from last season? The intriguing team in the West is this LSU outfit. Les Miles’ ballclub demands most of the attention in the division because of its athleticism and talent. But even with a group widely acknowledged to be the best in the West, a few loud questions remain. First of all, LSU is not the same job it was when Nick Saban took over. Back in 1999, LSU was a sleeping giant that needed awakening. Safe to say, Saban roused the LSU program from its slumber. Now, it’s a live giant, a colossus that needs someone big enough to sustain it. The jury is very much out --- to put it charitably --- on the topic of Les Miles and his ability to be the man to continue what Saban started. Yes, Miles beat Bob Stoops twice, but after that, the resume gets thin. Miles’ Oklahoma State defenses got destroyed by Texas and a lot of other teams in the Big XII. http://florida.scout.com/2/422805.html
Maybe, but he didn't bring his defensive coordinator. And Pelini's defenses at OU and Nebraska were some of the best in the country. I'm not too worried about that.
other worthy comments: It’s this columnist’s belief that LSU settled for Miles in a somewhat hasty decision, and that any subsequent failures of the Tigers to achieve at Saban’s level should be laid at the feet of... well... Saban, for ditching a program he claimed to have complete devotion to. But if you don’t fault Saban for bolting to the Miami Dolphins, you must then fault LSU for tabbing Miles. It’s ironic: I don’t think Les Miles is the man to keep LSU on the mountaintop, but that very fact means that Miles doesn’t deserve most of the heat if the Tigers can’t win more league crowns in his tenure. After all, when a man gets placed in a job that’s beyond him, the fault lies with the people who put that underqualified man in that position. This strange dynamic --- of a giant program being piloted by a coach with small credentials --- makes it very hard to set a clear-cut level of expectations for LSU this season. It also makes the Tigers a hard to predict team. In the end, LSU probably has enough material to outlast its SEC West competitors, but not enough to win in Atlanta on the first Saturday of December.
Hmmmm...sounds oddly like the Gators and Spurrier. And some hasty decision making, trying to get Meyer before Notre Dame could land him... Ahh...just a few more weeks and this will all get sorted out.
Looking at this, it's easy to feel nervous about Miles. But look at what he's done since he got to LSU. Nothing but great news. Started off by getting the number 1 QB recruit in the nation that even the great Saban couldn't get. He put together one of the finest LSU coaching staffs ever, & perhaps one of the best in the country. Then he put a strong focus on special teams (something desperately needed) & guided the team through a good Spring & summer with all of our players coming into the Fall in great shape & excited for the season. This guy's welcome to his opinion, I just hope to read a retraction after we stomp Urban & crew into the ground!
hhahaha "will Les be more?" That is the most cliche' question of preseason... what a joke. The media needs to not be so "creative" and stop using this line. Lame-o.
At least Miles has played straight up in a BCS conference . . . something that Urban Meyer hasn't done. Due to Nick's last-second bailout, LSU didn't get a shot at any of the coaches that were looking in December. Miles is the best coach that was available in January, what else was LSU to do? Miles has a record similar to Nick's and we did OK with him. He's been in the NFL and has coached in the upper tier of a BCS conference with a winning record despite being in the shadow of a bigger state school. Miles has also had the experience of playing in a BCS league. If he doesn't work out, we will find another guy. People who criticise LSU's selection of Miles seem to conveniently omit who else LSU could have hired that was better.
yeah was thinking same thing. thats only about the 1500th time that's been used. good point. its definitely nick's doing. blame him or possibly praise him when its all said and done. only time will tell. sometimes its best to not get what you originally wished for anyhow.
