Why doesn't Miles get credit as a great coach with the national media?

the reason they are not viewed the same is that saban took a program with back to back losing seasons and brought home a NC in 4 years.

miles has a great record but he did not have to build a program he just had to keep the boat afloat.
it's easier in one way but not in another. he had the great recruits but he also has to coach with LSU being the big dog that no one overlooks. i think that fact cannot be stressed enough. i think miles needs to work a little on his game mgt and keep doing what he's doing on the recruiting trail.
i think he will benefit by being a coach that manages a la bowden and not a coach who calls plays. he needs strong coordinators for that imo.
overall he's a likable guy and seems to be a decnt motivator.
time will tell.

 

Ok, so Mike Archer is a good coach, his first two years were nice.

 

Actually, Archer was a decent coach. He just couldn't recruit worth a half a bucket of tiger p!$$. Miles thus far is recruiting quite well. If he keeps the talent coming in, he'll continue to be successful.

 

Back to back 10 wins is more than just "nice". It is monumental.

 

To get the media label of "great coach" you need to upset sombody. Lou Holtz, who I don't consider a great coach, made his name when his Arkansas team, despite losing several key players prior to the game, upset the mighty Oklahoma Sooners in a Bowl game.
I guess the big win in the Peach Bowl was considered an upset but the JR supproters immediatly spread the word that Miami was over rated and didn't try to win. Saban made some obvious errors in judgement such as going for it on fourth down, on his own twenty, vs Tennessee in the SECC game. Fortunately we won the game so fans and media quickly overlooked it. Miles has a couple of mental lapses in games in which we lost so he is remebered for that. One was trying to get the field goal team on the field with eight seconds on the clock right before the half ended in the 05 Tennessee game. Of course the clock ran out preventing a chance to kick a field goal. Those potential three points ended up being the difference in the game. I don't remember Saban blowing such a big a lead against a mediocre team like Tennessee.

 

The second half of the TN game was very poor coaching. LSU turned too conservative and it bit us. TN was able to get the momentum and LSU couldnt match them. In all honesty though, LSU was dealing with so much last year. I dont blame them for not being able to match the intensity of TN in the ebb and flow of a hard fought SEC game. Considering what the hurricanes did to Louisiana and the turmoil surrounding last season. LSU just couldnt mentally rise up to put the game away. I give Miles a pass.

As for Saban, he nearly lost us the title game by turning ultra conservative. LSU should have put up a more impressive win. Nonethless he did get the job done, thats what counts. I can never forgive Saban though for his pathetic coaching against Iowa in his last game. He gave up on the team in that game. He didnt seem to care. The final play of the game was very poor coaching. Far wose than anything Miles has done wrong. Why in the hell werent more DBs back there to knock down a pass or to not allow a WR to run free down the side line?

 

Here's what I love about having Les Miles as the coach of my team...

Every year, we don't have to worry about him jumping ship for some bigger/better opportunity (a la Nick Saban). Miles is a solid coach, a solid recruiter, and very, very loyal to his players, school, and fans. I'll take a coach that flies under the radar despite winning 10+ games per year any time over someone who would bolt at the site or smell of greener pastures.

He might not be a namesake or a gifted speaker, but I can deal with that. He'll get his championship, and I bet everyone will be able to deal with that!

2007 :helmet: = :crystal: !

TTAU!

 

Miles will get a big boost in the respect department when he wins an SEC Championship.

While LSU definately has the talent, you have to get it done on the field against other coaches who have won SEC Championships.

Tubby, Spurrier, Richt, Fulmer, and now Meyer, are the guys Miles has to outcoach to become a "GREAT COACH" in the eyes of the media.

Beating Charlie Weiss won't hurt either.