I feel like I understand where both the pro and anti miles people are coming from, and I think I can present both sides in a way that might be able to help repair this divide a little bit: The Point of View Of The Anti-Miles LSU Fan: LSU is a special place. It is a special place for a reason. A big part of that reason is that we DEMAND excelence. Especially from our football team. This IS NOT wrong, and in fact will serve to help the program in the long run. what do you think would happen if the Red Sox and Yankees were playing in the post-season and the manager of the red Sox had a complete brain meltdown, forgetting the basic rules of managing, and left in a pitcher for too long, who then proceeded to get shelled and knock the Sox out of the ACLS....oh wait, it DID happen. And what happened to that manager? He got fired for his incompetence. if you can't stand the heat, don't be the head coach of the LSU Tigers, and no one can deny that Miles has the brook trout look in his eyes monday night. Did anyone cry for Grady Little? Did anyone mention that he had led to the final four of the baseball season? No, because it didn't matter. Why? Because the Red Sox and their fans will not tolerate it. Losing is one thing, but losing LIKE THAT is unacceptable. Period. The Point of View of the Pro-Miles LSU fan: Things happen in football. Coaches are human beings, they make mistakes. What's important is that people LEARN for those mistakes. Les Miles and the rest of the coaching staff made mistakes in the game against Tennesee. But what is really important is how Les LEARNS from those mistakes. He may not be as forthcoming in public as we would like, but there is no doubt he has watched that tape over and over looking for ways to improve. That kind of comeback can happen to any team, at any time, and Tennesee is not being given enough credit for their role in all this. It isn't like we just lost to UAB or anything, Tennesee is a very good team. yes the playcalling has had it's faults, and someone has to take the blame for that, but should we run Les out of town if maybe it's just not a good fit for Bo Pellini? Sure, the offense was a bit too conservative, but when he did try to throw it, JeMarcus threw a pick that was nearly taken to the house. Would you run right back out there and put it in the air again with all the talent we have at running back? Give this guy an opportunity to learn and correct his mistakes. If he doesn't and this one game becomes a trend, then maybe we will talk about what needs to be done, but there are 9 games left to be played in this season, and there is no way that we can make a total judgement right now about this hire.
Great post. I take issue with one point. "JeMarcus threw a pick that was nearly taken to the house. Would you run right back out there and put it in the air again with all the talent we have at running back?" You damn right I'd put it up again. You get right back on that horse when it bucks you off. One interception isn't enough of a reason to give up your passing attack and go to the run. That tells your opponents something. You're scared!
At this point, I am neither pro Miles nor Anti Miles. I am an observer and will let things play out a little more before coming down on one side or the other. Am I concerned? Definitely. The coaching transition has had an obvious effect and the circumstances complicating the early season did not help. It's quite possible that all have been affected despite their best efforts to concentrate on the (football related) tasks at hand. I am bothered by the many "fans" who immediately jump to the conclusion that all is lost and there is no hope for improvement. Sorry, but that's just stupid.
I liked the hiring of Miles because of his emotion, and I still like it now... Saban lost to UAB... he rebounded pretty well didn't he? Les is a great guy, and will rebound the rest of the season! Trust me! the one guy that this bugs the most is Les! He is the most passionate SOB out there!
