It's mooU. The nega in me is excited at the prospect of Miles leaving, though the realist understands the benefit of stability. But if Les were to leave now, he'd leave us in a pretty good position and at a pretty good time. I'd think we'd get a solid replacement.
Mullen has to know this and I bet his agent is working the phone pretty hard these days. He needs to bolt to a better job if he can because, you're right, next year will be ugly again.
UF is a better job based on money and possibly recruiting. which names on their list excite you? our list would be worse since it will be after a couple of these schools make their hire.
LSU is a great job with a great advantage that I would think many coaches would salivate over. Thanks to Saban and Miles we have great facilities, a loaded team with great recruiting and plenty of $$$ to throw around to the right guy. The West is so stacked LSU knows they have to pay top dollar to keep up. I mean look at the job Les has done with only two solid QB's in 10 years. I would imagine offensive minded coaches would line up to play with our talent pool and facilities. As far as Strong or Shaw, I just do not see LSU hiring a minority coach at this time. I think it is sad that we have not evolved into a culture that can look past that, but the boosters are still Cajun good ole boys that will derail that. Personally I like a half dozen or so minority coaches that I would take in a heartbeat at LSU, but I don't get to pick. One thing for sure is that we always seem to favor the smash mouth, running coaches. We are known for defense and balanced offense and have been for many years thru many coaches. The only worry I have is our current AD making the selection. All that said I think the status quo remains. We have Les until he decides to leave.
Really? I think LSU would definitely hire a Strong or Shaw, and would be especially stupid not to hire Shaw (who would be at the top of my list should a vacancy occur--though I doubt he'd leave Stanford, unless he really wants to coach in a true power conference. Still, Baton Rouge is no Palo Alto...) However, I agree with @tirk, if the other schools potential candidates list doesn't excite you, LSU's woudn't either.
When the dust settles, I believe Les will stay. He's all about family and he's been in the relatively rare position among football coaches to have had the opportunity to have his kids grow up in one place over the last 10 years. The boys are in high school and his baby has only known her dad in purple and gold. I don't think money is an issue because, let's face it, Les and the family are set for a generation or two. UM may well be his dream job but it would be totally in character for him to defer his dream in the interests of his kids. With that said, this is UM's shot. LSU's coming off a down year, a portion of the fanbase is grumbling more than in most years and, unless he wins two or three national championships and goes 5-0 against Bama in the next five years, he'll always live in the shadow of the Crimson Midget. I don't think UM makes the shot but I truly think it's going to be closer than most realize. And to quote that great Elephant philosopher, Forrest, "That's all I've got to say about that."
I'm surprised Foley hasn't completed a deal with McElwain. It leads me to wonder if the McElwain camp is also in discussions w/Michigan and/or Nebraska.
the problem isnt hes black. we hired trent johnson via stanford though i know its different for football. but culturally, its definitely not a good fit. people from the west coast tend to stay on the west coast. or get back there quickly. we need a dude where football is king and there are no other interests. we need a dude as sick as us.
That's exactly why I mentioned Baton Rouge is no Palo Alto. Honestly, I don't think he'd enjoy living here. People from California I've been around (I was married to a San Diego native) aren't the most complimentary of Louisiana.
Maybe I am a little further south than you Stacey, and it sickens me to hear it, but the comfort level with a minority is pretty shaky around here. I know some big booster from this area that donate mega $$$$ to the program that have said they would quit writing the check if LSU ever did that. Now it may be just hot air and testosterone filled dribble, but I have heard it. I hate it and think it shows you can be ignorant even when your worth hundreds of millions of dollars, but these guys do have influence. Now I am not sure they have enough influence to stop it from happening, I am just thinking out loud.
