http://cfn.scout.com/2/818002.html The way things are going the SEC is going to not be able to get big name coaches any longer. See article above. Same thing at espn. Luckily for Miles he doesn't have a Auburn-Alabama type rivalry to deal with at LSU.
Possibly, but, honestly, do they need to? I don't think most Tiger fans expect to win the NC or even the SECC every year. But by this point in the decade, with the success LSU has had under Saban and Miles, and, coincidentally, the amount of $ Miles is paid relative to (ha!) ticket prices, surcharges, etc., it is not unreasonble for fans to expet the Tigers to be competitive. Losses were inevitable this season; too many veterans/leaders to replace. Blowouts, however, were very unexpected and very damaging. If it had been just the UF blow, no big deal. But nothing changed. In 05 and 06 LSU progressed through the season and were much better by the end. They lost 2 games last year, but last season was brutal by any stretch and injuries didn't help. However LSU got into the BCS NCG is irrelevant; there is no denying a healthy LSU team was just as good if not better than anyone else. This year, however, was a steady denial and regression throughout the season. Fans at any other school would be just as pissed.
as long as they pay top dollar, the top coaches will come and be a sacrificial lambs. coaches are overpaid prostitutes with saban and tubby knowing it better than anyone--save for petrino. he's probably the worst and thats pretty bad considering little nicky is in the same company. these coaches are dealing with 18-22 yr olds and no matter how great a staff or how talented a team, there will be lulls. a great coach will have an overwhelmingly successful record overall if at a school who wants to win. but its still cyclical as we all know "relative to" your opponents as well as your own talent and/or leadership as well as injuries. no one can expect not to have certain years of uninspired football but following a NC season, its almost a guarantee. ive come to learn that much at least.
True, but it also weeds out the "good ole boy" mentality of keeping one coach forever just because he's had some success early on and is long associated with the program (Fulmer, Richt before too long). Seems to limit politics, and keeps the coach from thinking he owns the program, much like the NFL. We will never see a Joe Pa or Bobby Bowden type of stint ever again.
true but the alternative is almost always worse. bama went thru 5 coaches in like 20 days at one point with the good ole boy network fully intact. but they are one of a handful that can afford those mistakes and finally hit the jackpot with saban. the good ole boys are still in place yet saban is about the only one who could succeed in spite of them. i have no problem with trying to better yourself as a university and often times change happens simply for the sake of change. And many times its a huge mistake. especially from schools who have no means to justify the ends. they are not who they think they are. and this should bother everyone.
It's not just the SEC. The pressure is there at any big program. For example, the current senior class at Ohio State is 43-7 with 3 of the losses to the eventual national champions and 3 other losses to teams that finished (or are currently in) the top 10 for that season. The only loss outside of the top 10 was to Illinois last season. If you read many of the Ohio State forums though you'd think the sky was falling. Calls for the heads of many of the coaches, etc., etc., etc. The USC forums are the same and they've had tremendous success since 2001. As fans, we need to realize that it is unrealistic to expect our teams to challenge for a national championship each and every year. There IS luck involved, the breaks DO have to go your way and you CANNOT have a bad day. However at schools like LSU, Ohio State, Florida, Oklahoma, USC, Texas, etc. it is expected by the fans. Me, I'd like for some games to have turned out different but to expect that senior class to achieve more than 43-7 is silly IMO.
