What exactly does he have left to define? He has only lost one time to an SEC Western Division opponent since he arrived at LSU and that was to Auburn last year. He has only lost one time at home, on a Monday night against Tennessee. He hasn't won an SEC championship game but his first LSU team was in it. We have never had a team in the SECCG on even years, even under Saban, so last year is understandable. The BCS win makes up for that IMO. What does he have to do in order to define himself.
The first thing that comes to mind is this question. Would you consider Terry Bowden a good coach? He won; went undefeated. But, when push came to shove and it was his players, his development, he didn't remain long, did he? Another example. The success in '05 for Bama was largely due to the player development that happened under fRan, not Shula. You see where I'm going? I'm not saying I'm right, but just voicing what I'm thinking.
That's a valid argument. And I know most people, even some LSU fans will consider this an important season for CLM. At least IMO he improved from his first year to the second so I don't see it as being a defining season for him. You always point out how you can already see a difference with Saban at Bama, so I feel that if CLM was going to bury LSU he would have done it from year 1 to 2. But that's just me. We won't lose to MSU in any case.
Its funny how the history is changed by the loss of one game. If bama hadn't lost to msu last year Shula would still be the coach at Bama. For that loss i am eternally grateful! Thanks again Sly.
I would respectfully submit that this season is much more of a "defining season" for Nick Saban than it is for Les Miles.:thumb:
Interesting. I am confident that LSU beats MSU. However, if not, I do not see that one loss costing him his job. Now, if Bama loses to MSU this year, will that cost Saban his job????
and... as far as for CLM at OSU, don't forget that he had that team competitive. He took them to bowl games consistiently and beat OU twice. All while having to compete with OU and Tx for recruiting, not to mention Nebraska as well so doing what he did with being at best the 3rd choice and most probably the 4th isn't that bad.
I believe the Arkansas game in '06 was the one that struck a nerve with many Bama fans (delusional or not). It showed a continuing pattern of not being able to come from behind and win. By the end of the Duke game I knew it was over for Shula and I might be alone with this thought but I think Mike wanted to be fired after the '06 season. He didn't do a thing to stop the process and I thank him for that. If Mike had fired a few people it would have given him another year maybe two but he was a dead duck and I think he knew it too. Watch UCLA this season, especially their OL, they have Bob Connelly our old 'bucket step" OL coach. He's back in the Pac 10 where no one "Bull Rushes" anymore.
