Anyone who follows college football understands the importance of image when it comes to recruiting and the direction of the program. How people view your program is the fuel for the off season momentum that can lead to great things. It was a big showing on a big stage against Texas A&M at the end of 2010 that provided the spark which lit the fire on an undefeated regular season and an SEC Championship in 2011. Miles, who seemed to have silenced many of his critics throughout the season, allowed the floods to return with a less than stellar showing against one of LSU’s most hated rivals. If a big win on a national stage generates the energy for the season ahead, what then does a disappointing loss on a bigger stage present for this football team? What then does Miles need to do now? A loss can be the beginning of the end or it can be the end before a new beginning. Epictetus reminds us “It’s not what happens to you but how you react to it that matters”. It is time to close the book but remember the lesson. It is not a time to dwell on the past. One thing I have enjoyed about Miles’ run as LSU’s coach is how he responds to adversity. Each time he has faced a challenge he has responded with the right change. Recent memory provides very solid examples. Dual defensive coordinators were replaced by the Chief. Clock management issues were fixed. Crowton was replaced by Kragthorpe who, with the help of Coach Stud, made significant progress with the offense in a very challenging environment. It is important to Miles’ career, his legacy and the football program at LSU that he make the right adjustments once again during this off-season. His ability to lead will be tested once again. Les has faced a continuous wave of adversity since his arrival in 2005 and he has responded with one of the most successful runs in LSU history. With a record of 75-18 you have to believe the odds are in his favor. With all of this in mind, what do you think are the top priorities for Miles in order to shake loose the demons of January 9th? • Calm everyone down. We have a fine program that is on solid ground. Failure is only a singular event. It does not live on unless you continue to dwell upon it. • Image is everything and Miles must create an energy around this program that drips with confidence, belief and optimism. I hate to use the “bring back the magic” phrase but, he needs to create that atmosphere which squeezes out the noise of criticism and lights the path to greater days ahead. • Let his coaches do their jobs. I believe that people excel because they are put in the position to succeed and then allowed to do that which you prepared them to do. As the head coach, your job is to provide the support and resources to your people to help them reach their goals. Let go and give them the freedom to be champions • Keep your players engaged and foster their belief in the vision. The unity council is one of the most impressive concepts I have seen at this level and it is a great illustration of a “player’s coach” who places great value in his team. Continue to give them value and a voice. • Be hungry, very hungry! If he can do this, he will create the atmosphere which attracts the people and the energy this program needs to be involved in the Championship Picture for years to come. And don’t forget: “The greater the difficulty the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.” – Epictetus :geauxtige
Excellent post. There are numerous other examples of CLM overcoming diversity: Katrina/Rita issues, Krag's diagnosis shortly after being hired, JLs pick six season, etc. I personally think he waited too long to make a change with co-DCs, and is letting CGC go, but maybe timing wise we don't get The Chief if he makes a change sooner. Regarding learning lessons and approach to this upcoming season, I think he will respond with vigor. I would not be surprised if he takes off the cuffs with Mett at QB and we have a much more downfield game plan. At least that is my hope. If we have an offense that scores, with our D, we will get to the NCG again and hopefully win it this time. Our running game is formidable already, we just need to open it up and pass successfully downfield, and get the RBs/TEs into the game plan more, too.
He certainly kept Crowton a year or two too long, but he got rid of the co-DC's after just one season--not slow at all.
It's really quite simple... Do it again next year, and finish the job. Our fans are easily swayed one way or another. He's got his quirks and weaknesses but love him or hate him, the fact still remains that under his watch, LSU has won more games against better competition than they ever have, bar none. Jan. 9th was a tough pill to swallow and will sting for a while, but it's water under the bridge as far as I'm concerned.
Great points and well detailed. 1) I think the loss will make the team very hungry. We were ranked #1 for a while and the publicity might have gotten to their heads. I don't think it will happen this coming season. 2) Miles is still a great coach, his tenure here proves that very easily. It was an epically horrible game which intensifies the questioning on his coaching decisions. But you don't do as well as he has for as long, with being dumb and lucky or whatever negative you have to say about it. 3)I think Miles held back big time this year. As far as trick plays and changing game plans and such we didn't see much. He stuck to his (and the teams) game plan and didn't waiver because it worked so well the whole year.I believe he will realize this and make big time changes.
Fans, especially LSU fans, can be so fickle and hypocritical. I've heard of people who hated Miles when he was hired, loved him when he won the NC in '07, then hated him again with the offensive struggles '08-'10 and clock management bungles, then loved him again after the 13-0 start, now hate him again after the BCSNCG debacle. It's insane. Here lately, I've read things like 'He's not a good coach. He's a great recruiter that hires great assistants' or 'An elite coach would have won at least 2 more national championships at LSU ('06 and '11) during Miles' tenure there. It's an easy thing to do, especially after the abysmal showing in the title game, but does anyone actually know people that still think like this; who believe we're winning in spite of Miles and not because of him?
