I have been a reader for a while,but never have posted. But when I hear BS like this from a so called reporter my temper just flared. Of course Les Miles thought of leaving to coach Michigan,he admitted he thought about it. We all have our dream jobs (mine would entail beaches and drinks with umbrellas) But in reality we make our decisions on much more than dreams. I believe that Les was put in a position to make his decision before he wanted to. Not from a great conspiracy from LSU, but from reporting from a second class network looking for "the scoop". Her article is an insult to our team,our coach and to LSU itself.
I sent that classy lady a respone email : Good morning, I read your article on ESPN this morning about Coach Les Miles, and it compelled me to write you a rebuttal. You referred to Coach Miles as a liar and a mediocre coach. The term “liar” is quite a harsh term to use. Who knows what discussion, if any, were had between Michigan officials and Coach Miles. I am sure there was communication and I am sure Miles had a tough decision to make. Perhaps LSU won a bidding war, or perhaps Miles was skeptical about taking the job at Michigan. Maybe there is something behind the reported “differences” between Miles and Lloyd Carr. I have no doubts that he loves UM, but what if he loves LSU as well? I think that Miles was probably wanted by Michigan, and maybe he was going to take the job. Personally, I think ESPN killed the deal by trying to get the scoop. Why would Kirk Herbstreit report that Miles would be named the next head coach in Ann Arbor on the day of our SEC Championship game? I have some harsh words for “Mr. Bandwagon”, Kirk Herbstreit, but this isn’t about Kirk. This is about our coach Les Miles. Only time will tell if Miles is a mediocre coach. As of today, he has compiled a 33-6 record at LSU and is headed to the BCS National Championship game. He has taken us to two SEC championship games (1-1) and this is our second straight trip to a BCS game. Yes, Miles inherited a load of talent at LSU. However, this strong group of seniors was heading into their sophomore year when Miles arrived. He and his assistants have developed these players into what they are today. Do you give him any credit for that? I say that Miles is a smart and gutsy coach. He was smart enough to know that we had the momentum against Florida, and had enough guts to go for it on 4th down; several times. He was smart enough to know that with time running out against Auburn, they would not expect us to take a last second shot at the end zone. Miles had the guts to take that shot. Some will say that our Tigers could be 12-0 with a different head coach. I say we could be 7-5 WITH A DIFFERENT HEAD COACH. As a Tiger fan, I want a coach that wants to be at LSU, and be there more than 4 or 5 years. We want someone who will maintain our program or even make it stronger. We want a coach that we can believe in and one that we can respect. Personally, I don’t really care if he talked to Michigan. Why wouldn’t he talk to them? He played and coached there and Michigan has great tradition. I think your real problem with this is the decision Coach Miles made. He chose purple and gold over the maize and blue. Once again, maybe Michigan wanted Les Miles, but LSU and its fans love Les Miles. Miles has made a decision and now this is a dead horse you’re beating. I think ESPN is trying to save face because someone dropped the ball and now ESPN looks foolish. We are over it and now it is time for you guys to get over it. Take some advice from Coach Miles…. “Let it rest”. For your next article, try writing a piece on Kirk Herbstreit’s fumble and his attempt to distract the Tiger faithful from winning the SEC Championship game last Saturday. That would be an interesting read. Until then, try not to bother us again. We’re “Busy” and “have a championship game to prepare for”. “Have a great day!!!” Jeremy K. Wheeler LSU Tiger Fan
What's funny about this whole mess is how ESPN got to take Miles' comments on USC and the Pac-10 and blow them way out of proportion, to the point that Brent Musberger used it as a punchline at least three times in the course of an early season Pac-10 game. But the "worldwide leader in sports" apparently can't take the ridicule as well as they dish it out.
AMEN BROTHA!!! :geaux: :geaux: :geaux: :geaux: :geaux: :geaux: :crystal: :geauxtige :crystal: :geauxtige :crystal:
I felt compelled to write also...I haven't heard so much BS since Saban said "I will not be the coach at Alabama"... After reading your article today I felt compelled to do something I have never done before. Clicking the 'contact' link on your article. Your "feelings" seem to have gotten in the way of reporting because to call a man with the heart and integrity of Les Miles a liar is way beyond classless and if you receive less than a thousand contacts in your mailbox today I will be surprised. You can spin this anyway you want. That is your right as a free thinking individual but when you decide to lay it down in print and call a man a liar and question his coaching abilities because he chose to stay where the heart strings tugged the hardest, well the ones who thought that he was going to Michigan are left jilted at the alter. And a bitter bride you must be. Multiple players in the game have come forward and said Miles was never contacted directly but for some reason Miles is the only one who "lied". As LSU fans, we knew from day one that if "mama" came calling he would likely listen and, in my opinion, go home. When Lloyd Carr left most of the Tiger Nation felt Miles would leave but we also know there is something much stronger than "mama". When a coach comes to LSU he is family. Look at anything Nick Saban says at Alabama and you can see, that deep down, he would have preferred to stay at LSU. Even now. I believe Les was, and still is, torn about his decision. I do believe he is a man of his word and will stick to it, unlike that aforementioned coach at Alabama. Spin this anyway you like but you will see coach Miles on the sidelines in 2008..."mama" has moved to Baton Rouge and taken up residence in Tiger Stadium.
