Is there another way to do it? This could describe just about every major program. Besides, we all know Miles runs a "clean" program. (wink,wink)
I agree. Outside of one booster answering a reporter's question, I don't see anything the administration has fouled up. I think Alleva is doing the right thing to keep quiet. What's he supposed to say? "We stand by Miles, he's our man" when he isn't? How does that help Miles? Or "Miles is finished. We're parting ways after the A&M game" which would do nothing but pile on the humiliation. Other than that, all we have is media and internet board rumors and speculation. Yes, it would have been better had the booster kept his mouth shut but you can't unspill milk. I don't see that as Alleva's fault. The media is spouting off because they need something to talk about, they like moral posturing, and they think they look smart. I don't care what the media thinks.The move is necessary and I think it is being handled relatively well.
In terms of the coaching and on field problems? We didn't win, so no, we didn't do it right. It made me quite angry. If you are meaning paying for players and cheating, well, I don't know anything about that and apparently neither does the NCAA. But I am also one of the folks that think these players should get more compensation then tuition, room, and board. but that's another conversation entirely.
He could have had a press conference, said only school officials speak for the school and the Athletic Dept will announce something if and when there is something to announce. Which there isn't now, have a nice day. End of conference. The idea is to make someone other than the genuinely liked and successful (everywhere but here) coach the only face of the story. Right now we're making it easy for people to take shots at us. The face of the LSU football team for the last few weeks is Winnie the Poo with a black eye from a friendly fire sucker punch. It might not matter in Baton Rouge and Louisiana, but it matters in places like Houston.
People that say the media is irrelevant are like people that say the refs cheated. Both groups of people are on the losing side. I agree this change is needed. I disagree its being handled relatively well. Or I should ask - relative to what? I posted above an example of what I think Alleva should have done to try to refocus this to a less negative story.
Rumors on ESPN, what are you talking about? Its a couple of articles by a hometown reporter acknowledged to be well connected who is reporting statements from people supposedly part of the discussions and decissions. This has become the accepted fact not disputed by the administration. At this point if Miles isn't fired it gets uglier. If by defending Miles you mean I acknowledged the good things he did - then yep I'm guilty. I also criticized the QB and offensive failures but on this board that's not good enough for some. If you're not prepared to label Miles a complete moron then you're obviously a complete moron. If the end game here is that we in fact do end up with Fisher and an all star staff then Alleva has done his job well. I don't need to wait for hardware validation. If the new staff never wins even the SEC West Alleva will have done a good job because he did the best he could with all he could control. But that doesn't mean he couldn't have done it better. The fact is we are now taking credibility hits and we are looking like Auburn. Alleva owns the coaching change process and the success and failures that go with it. I don't get why you guys are so sensitive to me saying I think he's failed at a few points in the process. You should relax, your letter to Santa has been answered. You're getting a new coach for Christmas.
It could have been handled better, no doubt. But I think you greatly exaggerate the credibility hits. This isn't much different than how it goes everywhere else. Seldom is there a divorce where there isn't hurt feelings or something that could have been handled better. However if Alleva whiffs on JF things could really turn sour. If he does get JF watch how the fickle press does a 180 and praises Alleva and LSU. Media types are always looking for a story and don't mind helping pump one up if they can't find one interesting enough on its own. The same talking heads that trashed and laughed at Miles daily are now crying like babies about how great he is and how LSU will never do better. They're so disappointed that they may be losing a weekly story. Take what you read from the press with a HUGE boulder of salt. They rarely know what's really going on and are always looking for a story where there is none.
Speculation by local media is still speculation. It was once speculated that Miles wanted to coach at Arkansas, it was once speculated that Miles was going to be the new coach at Michigan just before our NC game. All that speculation resulted in... If you want to say Alleva failed because the media has speculated, you might as well blame him for water being wet. There would be no speculation if Miles didn't tank these last three games, so there is something concrete you can tie the speculation to. If Miles isn't fired, LSU says this was all unfounded and we move on. We aren't playing patty cake. If the speculation that Miles is gone is true (I'd guess it is), it isn't Jimbo or bust. Jimbo is an intriguing option that of course LSU has to consider, but there are other options out there. Sorry Santa didn't let you to continue to hesitate on Miles. Tennessee and Texas hesitated real good, all the way down the face of a cliff.
