What issues would you address during spring practice? What would you do to change anything around LSU? Would you walk around campus and greet students? How cool of a coach do you think you would be?
If I were Les Miles, I would do whatever it took to become a well-liked and respectable football coach at such a major college football program. I would do this because it would bolster my resume for when Michigan comes a calling. <this post inspired by OVD>
*Morphing into "Les Mode" here* I think the most important thing I can do is set clear parameters of how I will manage the program and stick to them. My predecessor---who you fans seem to mention about once every minute while I'm within earshot---ruled this roost with absolute authority, so my players expect the same out of me to an extent. In other words, if I give the kids an inch, they best not try and test me by trying to take a mile. If (and when) they do, I need to handle it forcefully and fairly. It's important that I manage the program consistently and well since I'm not in a position at the moment to leave my mark anywhere else on this team. The player/leaders on this team aren't going to respond well to me giving them direction just because I'm the coach and they're not; I need to respect the fact that Coach Saban gave his player leaders a fair amount of ownership, so I need to treat them with respect while holding them accountable for their actions as well as those of the team as a whole. Back to the "not leaving a mark" thing: I have a talented and experienced team and I'm surrounded by strong assistants who have little or no ties to me (Pellini, Fisher, Dunbar, just to name three). Unless I make some awesome gametime decisions with the game on the line that are clearly attributable to me, for this upcoming season I'm not going to be given as much credit for our success as I would if these were "my" players and "my" coaches over a period of time. On the other hand, I'll get full blame for the losses ("Welcome to Baton Rouge", my wife tells me when I mention this...LOL). As for relations with the student body, sure, I'd love to interact with the community as much as possible. Word is I'm quite the card personality-wise in comparison to Saban (damn, even I keep brining up his name), so sure, why not mingle and engage LSU Nation as much as possible? Change things? I better not, not yet at least. None of this crap I heard about Gerry DiNardo wanting to shake things up right from the start. I know I'm still unproven, still a bit of an ousider to these folks. Keep my head down, work hard, share the credit, take the blame, and win games---that's my plan for the season. Finally, I better be a "cool" coach and just accept the fact that, for 2005 at least, I'm somewhat just along for the ride. I need to be strident in pushing the boys to train and win on Saturdays, but not try to claim too much credit for the wins that result. In other words, be confident yet humble. Yeah, that's the ticket...oh, and giving Perrilloux a legitimate look come fall. It's important I handle this one just right, because if I don't it'll make my life a whole lot harder than it needs to be.
I have asked this question b/4 but if I were he, I would name P-LO QB right now b/4 spring and tell Russ and Flynn that they are playing for a #2 spot. Then I would win the West by a two game lead.
I would move all practices to East St. John, so the 1st string players could get some reps in with the starting QB. :lol: And I would be on the kickers' collective arses like white on rice. 16 hours of kicking/day does not seem unreasonable. o:
Implement his system onto the players. Evaluate current talent & begin establishing some starters & key players. He's already being seen all over LSU at other sporting events and I know a few people that have seen him at Southgate Towers (where he's living) and said he was a real nice guy & very personable. LSU football is already amazing - some of the best tailgating and all around football experience in the country. There isn't much Miles can do to improve that, only embrace it.