I'd be a little more understanding if this wasn't our second year following the demise of prized recruit Perrilloux AND if the quarterback situation over those two years wasn't handled so poorly. But yeah, maybe we'll be much improved next year in our second year under Chavis and Jordan Jefferson. I don't have faith, but we aren't getting rid of Miles so I'm going to strap up and come along for the ride. I just don't know if I can hold my piece when others defend Miles using what I see as faulty logic. I'll try to keep a lid on it as much as possible. I know bitching and moaning gets old.
I am done trying to respond to Miles critics! But I enjoy reading what other folk say. Not sure Jesus would make a good LSU coach. You can only walk on water after you are the coach for another team. Geaux Tigers
I've got to give compliments to all you guys in this discussion. Opposing viewpoints are being proposed in a discussion without argument or inflammatory rhetoric. This is exactly why Tf is one of the best fan boards around. As for Miles...I agree with LSU-I-Like. I'm taking a wait and see approach. This next season will tell if the right coaching hires and player development takes place. I think this is much more important than recruiting right now. With coaching, More time needs to be given to see if Crowton will be better. I don't know how much Miles has been involved with over riding Crowton or not, but the head man needs to take charge of both the offens and the defense...not sit back and give full rein to the assistants. I think that's the problem with the clock management stuff. (I thought you were gonna call time out; or There's nine seconds left and I don't have a play in yet.) The new hires seem to be good ones, but I'll bet no red flags were raised when Mallory and Proveto were hired. We'll have to be patient and give Miles time. As for player development, we'll have to see how R Shepard gets utilized. Third best QB in the nation and he has not thrown a single pass when the ball is snapped to him. Jefferson has to be taught and utilized properly. In the peach bowl last year, he gave fits to Ga Tech's defense because they never knew if he'd run or pass...now he's Joe Namath reincarnated as far as mobility goes. The coaches are making him into a pocket passer only just like Haslett did with Aaron Brooks. Position switches better click next year. Coleman worked out well, but Ciron Black was the best guard in college then they switched him to tackle and now we have an above average tackle instead of the best guard in college football. There's a lot we have to wait and see before we can truly judge Miles as a coach. I just don't like the knee jerk reactions about firing him now or taking away credit from his true coaching accomplishments.
Ciron Black was the best guard in college then they switched him to tackle and now we have an above average tackle instead of the best guard in college football. ???????????????????? I was thinking Mr Black was a 4 year starter at LT :miles:
Actually, a number of people on this board were leery of the hiring of Malveto. Unfortunately, the fears were more than confirmed.
I thought there was a position switch involved with him...maybe he stayed at tackle but switched sides of the line?
For you, and the rest of the Miles haters in this thread, I think this is what it comes down to. First off, folks somehow think that if a school has good recruiting classes or recruiting base, then somehow they are "predestined" to win a NC. This just isn't the case, considering how recruiting classes are a mythical thing. Same issue that haunts Texas, may haunt LSU in your minds... these #1, #2 recruiting classes have fans assuming that they have the talent to win it all. But, a lot of luck, coaching, schedules and a host of other things (injuries, players not panning out, for example) play into winning a NC. AND, hence the perception that somehow Mack has "underachieved" and Miles has "underachieved." But, I ask you, if you don't look at W-L records, then what is then the "objective" test? How they look on the field to you? Like a 13-12 win against Nebraska? Well, no way I can dispute that--you just don't think that a close Miles or Mack win is "good enough" for you. What about Urban's smack down by Bama this year? Or, Saban's smack down by Utah last year? But, if you believe the pursuit of the CFB NC is one of year after year dominance, guess again. NO program can win back to back to back championships and "utilize" to the fullest extent it's talent. Just ask Urban Meyer. Sure, he's won two national championships in a short period of time... but let's see how long it takes him to win another one. Perhaps he LEAVES before UF can win another one. Likewise, people point at Saban as being the "better" coach than Miles... not according to the overall win record. Again, we'll also see over time what happens. Now Mack certainly has his critics. But, to say that Texas has "underachieved" would also fail to respect how quickly a program that is "pre-ordained" for success because of recruiting. Just ask John Mackovic, or the coach prior to him. You seem to not understand how long Texas fans actually had to wait for the 2005 NC, despite it's "hotbed" of talent. Mack has brought stability, a vision of a family based program, recruiting success and winning back to Texas. Just as Miles to the same extent has brought consistency, if not facing a true "rebuilding" effort, to the LSU program. He's arguably also brought respectability, a program where players and coaches like to be in, and he's not a coach that is simply looking for the next jump like Saban was. There is more to the program then pure "coaching wattage" of the headman. I guess my overall point is, there's no way I can convince the Miles haters to believe that he is a better coach than some of the "other" guys. But, let's all acknowledge what the criteria is, in some objective fashion. If it's winning, I think LSU fans can't complain--there are few CFB programs in the past decade which compare (that's arguably, LSU, UF, OSU, USC, Texas, Oklahoma). I think that's the only thing that matters, I believe at the end of the day. And, Miles has fared reasonably well in this crowd, as has Mack.
What about Miami in 05-06... we demolished them and we were severe underdogs. That was Miles first year and coming off an Iowa loss the bowl before. Not to mention that was Miles' start to his current undefeated record in OOC play. I'd say that a signature win... his signature is outside of the SEC you don't have a chance.
They're looking for total dominance. Blowing out opponents 56-0. Most of them don't take into consideration that all this change in coaching (which in the long-run is needed) in such a short period of time, is not helping the cause. The co-DC's didn't work out and we got Chavis. Awesome, but right now, it's a band-aid until the schemes sink in. And it's like that in other situations. I'm with you, if they don't look at the W/L then there's no reason to even discuss with them. I've said it before - most of them didn't want Miles or feel he didn't deserve it and so he'll never be accepted. They can't be pleased, and unless something drastic happens, a coach gets canned, then they won't be happy.
I appreciate your well thought out reply. I'm not a doubter just to be frustrating to all the folks that like Miles, I am speaking out of genuine concern. I don't expect LSU to win a NC every year, or to even contend year in and year out. In general, however, I'd like to see disciplined play, smart play, sound fundamentals, and players progressing throughout their time in the program. I realize we are dealing with college kids who are going to make mistakes, but I don't feel Miles striving for perfection. He seems to take a more lackadasical approach. The players may appreciate it, but not being pushed to be great isn't doing them or our team any favors. Of course recruiting is an inexact science, but recruiting rankings aren't completely devoid of meaning. Coaches should be able to judge talent on their own and develop it, and I think our style of play indicates our coaching staff isn't doing a good job of one or both of those things. Everyone is getting on my case about the W/L record. Damn it. When I see a team play I usually get a sense of if that team is playing hard or not. Do you guys not get this gut feeling? I have rarely had this feeling watching Miles' LSU or Brown's Texas. It's more like a glaring disparity in athletic ability, not a strong work ethic and a never-give-up attitude. I don't recall ever saying Saban or Meyer are perfect. I'm looking at their body of work and the way their teams play in general. I think the whole point is that we can't really agree on the criteria. I've said it before, I defended Miles last year after he proved me wrong. I haven't seen enough improvement this year, so my original feelings of doubt (from watching his teams perform, not from preconceived notions) have creeped back in.
