November 20, 2007
Miles in tears over Michigan opening
LSU Head Coach Les Miles broke down into tears during his press conference while speaking about the vacant head coaching position at Michigan.
"They've not called," Miles said at his weekly media luncheon in reference to Monday's formal announcement that Michigan coach Lloyd Carr is retiring."It's unfair to Michigan to say that they should. It's unfair to me and my team. I promise you this, what I'm doing is what you should do — let it rest. I'm playing football for LSU. I love this team."
Miles teared up and paused for 15 seconds before composing himself. "And I'll not do anything to hurt it," he said as his voice broke. "Any questions?"
Miles is considered the #1 candidate to replace Lloyd Carr, who announced his retirement this week.
When later asked if he would say unconditionally he will be the LSU coach next year, Miles passed on answering definitively.
"I'm not going to talk about jobs, don't care about jobs. I don't want to involve myself in that thought process. It's counterproductive to preparation. I don't care about it. Don't ask me that question anymore."Later, a reporter said, "You could end the speculation by saying, 'I'm definitely not going.' "
Miles first said, "Yeah, I want to stay just where I'm at." Then he said, "I don't want to think about it, don't want to envision it, going to go forward and prepare. I'm not going to give any thought to it. I'm going to just kind of leave it alone. That's the best thing for me, certainly the best thing for my team."
I don't pretend to be an oracle on coaching changes, but... LSU needs to start interviewing for their next head coach.
Comments:
Tom Blogical
posted on November 20, 2007 2:09 PM — 24.95.77.153 — link — abuse?
said:
There's no crying in football! I don't care who gave it to him, I'm revoking the nickname "Lesticles".
TE
posted on November 20, 2007 2:09 PM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
Kev, I think this hinges on how dumb the Michigan AD and their President are...
The AD already came out and said he wants a "Lloyd Carr clone" in the media, and that he wants to make sure he finds a coach that "pays his bills" and "doesn't have a lot of DUI's", so I'm not sure if he's even on planet earth right now...
I mean, what guy in his right mind running that Athletic Department would want a clone of a guy who watched his profession pass him by while he was in some sort of wide awake somnambulation? It's like he awoke in the middle of the slide, to find the game he coached had passed him by, and as people asked him about it, he got annoyed, as if it was college football's fault it left him behind because of a failure to adapt and a dogmatic attachment to long-left behind philosophies on both sides of the ball.
Fierce loyalty to assistants and an ostrich-esque approach to the way things are done in Ann Arbor lead to this year's ignominious performance.
Carr's asleep at the wheel approach the last half decade or so allowed everyone from Ohio State to...Illinois & Wisconsin?...to sneak up and attempt to exert their superiority over the Big 10(11...12? I forget)...
Yet, this AD wants his clone?
That would scare the daylights out of me if I were a Michigan fan...
If they do somehow botch this and allow Carr to choose, I think his personal animosity and crotchety refusal to admit that the game passed him by-not because he wanted it to, but because he refused to adapt to change-will prevent him from making the best hire in the school's history:
Les Miles...
In his Monday retirement PC, Carr made two statements alluding to Miles and alleged friction...
The first was when asked about him directly, he made the statement that, "Funny things happen on the recruiting trail."
That's a direct-if veiled-reference to the recruiting of Jai Eugene, a Louisiana kid who committed to Big Blue at the HS All American Game a few years back, but who LSU never backed off of. He eventually decommitted and came here. He'll start at corner as a RS Sophomore next year.
Michigan could never get over the fact that we "bought" Eugene, and didn't "respect" Michigan enough to stop recruiting him.
Again, if you don't realize that by now, the game of college football has changed, and recruiting and its emphasis with it, then you're doomed to repeat the same mistakes Carr made, Michigan. We'll gladly send you a gift basket!
Secondly, Carr said that they, "liked to win with integrity," in Ann Arbor. That's another slap to Miles' face. If you talk to ANYONE, they'll tell you Les Miles is a quality individual.
Carr can't get over-in this case-the fact that Miles went into his backyard and cherry-picked the #5 DL in the nation last year. Joseph Barksdale was in Detroit, and we got him. Carr is not pleased that Miles recruited against him and won.
Simple as that. It's as simple as petty jealousy and an ages old arrogance that comes from the same place that certain posters here are huffing off of when they make statement about, "being the kings of college football."
Les Miles isn't going to roll over, even for his alma-mater, when it comes to doing his job...That'd admirable...
Shembechler's death also doesn't do Miles any favors, either...Last year, when he passed away, perhaps Miles' best shot at the job went with him. Shembechler was a big Miles fan, and admitted watching every OSU & LSU game Miles ever coached. Carr & Miles didn't see eye-to-eye while they were on staff together under Bo, and the rift on the recruiting trail borne out of simple inability to see the world for what it is has made the division pretty tangible.
If you ask me, just look at Big Blue...Embarassed heavily this year, and now they're talking about repeating the same mistakes of the past, wanting the next coach to keep the same inbred, ingrown staff...
That's a program on the decline, based on what they've reported in the media...and if you ask me, if they're not smart enough to learn from the recent past, then let them be doomed to repeat it.
We'll gladly keep Les Miles...
Sweet Home Alabama said:
posted on November 20, 2007 2:44 PM — 75.120.228.174 — link — abuse?
He wasn't crying about LSU. He was crying about Michigan.
"LSU Head Coach Les Miles broke down into tears during his press conference while speaking about the vacant head coaching position at Michigan."
Must have left off his anti-depressant for a couple of days.
1st_and_NOLE
posted on November 20, 2007 2:59 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse? said:
Maybe so but I doubt LSU lets him leave without a fight. He very well may go to Neb but I think it's safe to say LSU would make a run at him and give him something to think about.
I'd much rather but at LSU over Neb.
posted on November 20, 2007 3:02 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?War Eagle Atlanta
said:
Tom #4: LMAO! No man named 'Lesticles' should be crying. Leave the crying for if LSU drops the cakewalk to the NC game...
Dear LSU: If you try throwing money Nick's way, he may come back home...Oh wait. Spurrier's coming to town. Yea, I think Santa Claus will come to Baton Rouge before Kris Kringle does...
Geauxtigers0107 said:
posted on November 20, 2007 6:02 PM — 70.156.71.26 — link — abuse?
For the record, I watched the news conference in question where Miles choked up. He started choking up when he got to the part about how much he loved THIS TEAM AND THESE PLAYERS...not his alma mater.
I, for one, put him on 70% - 30% to go to Michigan since all this talk began. After seeing the news conference, I see it the other way around now. It was clear to me that he's got alot of passion for LSU and his players. Is that enough to keep him in Baton Rouge remains to be seen.
Carr doesn't want Les to have the job either. When they were both coaching under Bo and Bo left, Carr became the interim and not long after - the head coach. All of the assistants stayed...as requested by Carr. All except for one...you guessed it...Les Miles. For that, Carr resented Miles. Add to that the recruiting issues mentioned above and that'll explain why he came out now (early - instead of at the end of the season) to announce his retirement and all but eliminate Miles as an option for Michigan.
Another interesting piece to the puzzle is that LSU's Chancellor Sean O'Keefe came out about a month ago and publically said he was willing to pay whatever it took to keep Miles and that he intends to sit down with him. "IF" Miles wins the NC, he also has a clause in his contract that will put him in the top 3 in highest paid coaches in the country. Also in the same contract is the clause that if he leaves for Michigan HE PAYS LSU 1.25 mil.
Just something to think about......hhhmmmmm.
I personally hope he stays. He's down to earth and very approachable anytime he's out in BR. At least if he doesn't, he hasn't been saying the same crap Saban did before he did just the opposite.
Geaux SEC
Geaux TigersBig Tide said:
posted on November 20, 2007 7:36 PM — 12.208.88.211 — link — abuse?
TE #5 Just keep that first part of your post in a folder and post it again for Paterno and Bowden, two coaches that will need handicapped stickers and oxygen bottles before they hang it up.
Is Les Miles high? You guys can bash Saban all day but crying at your news conference? The nutcase in the turtleneck better start working on a game plan for the rest of the season. He's like a guy sitting at a poker table getting run over by the deck. Honestly. Is there really anyone out there that thinks he's done anything great with the talent LSU has? Come on TE. The man is loaded talent, but it has taken all that and Lady Luck too. The only thing making him cry is that the phone hasn't rung.....
trip74 said:
posted on November 21, 2007 3:56 AM — 24.192.231.166 — link — abuse?
Geauxtigers0107,
according to mgoblue.com, Bo retired in '89, after which Gary Moeller took over Head Coach in '90. Moeller lost the job in the summer of '94, after which Carr was the interim coach before he became head coach.
according to wikipedia, Miles coached at Michigan between '87 and '94.
at least you have the Carr to head coach, Miles to OSU timeline correct, even if the rest of your post is factually incorrect and garbage.
maybe the reality is that you're having trouble being second fiddle..
again.
TigerRag said:
posted on November 21, 2007 9:03 AM — 72.12.47.34 — link — abuse?
Army95 said:
"Miles to Ann Arbor. Pelini stays in Baton Rouge. Nutt to Lincoln. Spurrier to College Station."
Miles to Ann Arbor only if LSU does not play in the NC game. Pelini stays in Baton Rouge as DC. Nutt to Lincoln agreed. Spurrier stays at USC (the golf is to good in S. Carolina). If Miles leaves LSU the next LSU coach will come as a supprise. What I mean is this Lil Nicky and Les Miles were not on the top of anyone's list when LSU hired them. LSU will make the same move now. Hire a guy for a little over 1 mil. and put it his contract that if he wins a NC he gets 3 mil.
M GO BLUE said:
posted on November 21, 2007 10:36 AM — 216.46.210.140 — link — abuse?
TE.........you are 100% right.........AND M GO BLUE WOULD BE PULLING HIS HAIR OUT!!!....IF HE HAD'NT PULLED THE LAST OF IT OUT LAST WEEK!!!
Lloyd Carr.......can we say I.N.C.O.M.P.E.T.E.N.T.
Sorry Carr, you seem to be living in some mythical world along with the old school tradtionalists who can't get past bo.......the problem with Michigan?........we can't seem to realize......Bo's style of football would not work today......that does'nt mean he was'nt a great coach.....because he was, but even Bo would be looking silly if he tried to use his play style today........we will never forget Bo, and in his day he was one of the greats.....but that day is long gone, and it's time to let go and change the way football is played in Ann Arbor.
M GO BLUE said:
posted on November 21, 2007 10:51 AM — 216.46.210.140 — link — abuse?
If Michigan does not contact Les Miles and offer him the HC position.........it will show the stupidity and sheer ignorance that seems to ingulf Michigan football at this time.
The Michigan fans want Les Miles.
The Michigan fans want Bill Martin to get Les Miles.
The Michigan fans will want Bill to retire next if he does not get Les Miles.What will it be?........(drum roll).......SHEER STUPIDITY!!!!!!...........exit to your right.....you can get a full refund at the door.
M GO BLUE will be praying really really REALLY HARD that Michigan get's a life and STOPS PLAYING HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL!!!!!
M GO BLUE said:
posted on November 21, 2007 11:38 AM — 216.46.210.140 — link — abuse?
As crazy as this season has been.....a part of me thinks i'm going to wake up some morning and find someone like........John Madden coaching Michigan..............AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
TE
posted on November 21, 2007 1:28 PM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
Trust me, there are plenty of beauts out there that aren't as...how can I put this...in possession of such 'morally casual' attitude like Kim...
But, then again...If he scores a date with her, then there's a chance he's going to be doing a whole lot more than footing the bill at Mr. Chow's or Nobu at the end of that date...
It's like what they call a Shaquille O'Neal dunk...A very high percentage shot, if you will...
Now, back to football...
TigerRag said:
posted on November 21, 2007 2:25 PM — 72.12.47.34 — link — abuse?
On Kim Kardashian...
Clemson Joe I agree, as hot as she is I'll pass on a date. I could go further on that subject but I won't.
Back to football...
TE I would love to agree with you, but we all thought the same thing when Saban left. Then they hired Les Miles and we all had to do research to find out who he was. The last two hires, even though they were not big names, turned out to be great coaches. So I don't think we need the Spurrier's of the world.
TE
posted on November 21, 2007 3:52 PM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
LSU came up snakeyes choosing a coach that could take the reigns of an already built program and add to an already flourishing foundation, and ensure its continued success.
The LSU Football Program had an overall profit last year of over 30 million dollars. There is no reason, nor rhyme, for that matter, to hire another bargain basement coach and hope for the best.
LSU-and its leadership-are well aware of who and what they need...Oh, and I'll mention this again...We just hired John Lombardi to run the LSU System...Lombardi was in a similar position at Florida during the Spurrier years, and was just quoted in the Baton Rouge Business Report (Kevin knows I'm going to rummage around and find the link, someday...) where he glowingly endorsed Steve Spurrier as his first recommendation for ANY football program in America.
This was in the past two weeks...and I've already told you...Spurrier's agent-Sexton-has already contacted BOS members...
If Miles is gone, Steve Spurrier is your next head coach at LSU...Done deal.
Big Tide said:
posted on November 21, 2007 7:35 PM — 12.208.88.211 — link — abuse?
TE #38, you are dead on the money. The machinery is in place and the powers that be have gotten a taste of that big time football money and prestige. Bama didn't cough up 4 million because they thought Slick Nick was a pillar of moral strength. Spurrier would be a great fit at LSU. Hell, he could probably be the de factor Saints coach on the side...
Geauxtigers0107 said:
posted on November 23, 2007 12:45 AM — 68.222.17.165 — link — abuse?
Haven't been on in a couple of days (I think) with all the cooking and drinking so here's hoping everyone's Thanksgiving was a good one.
@KevD
Something I found that I wanted to share with you....This is from AP writer Larry Lage: "Athletic director Bill Martin (Mich) wouldn’t say who is on his wish list, but did clear up some questions about the search. “I’ll be guided by a lot of their judgments, but ultimately the decision rests with me,” he said. “Everybody asks, will you ask Lloyd? Of course I will. He knows the coaching profession, and he knows everyone that would be considered a candidate.”
I heard that once already which was why I mentioned it earlier then I ran across that article and decided to share it with you. Apparently this guy is back and forth on the inclusion of Carr's opinion in the selection process.
@Trip74
My post didn't have anything to do with "being second fiddle". If he leaves...oh well...he leaves. I'd like him to stay but we'll be fine. (see. 30 Mil in football revenue) Michigan now needs to speed up the hiring process because Carr announced his retirement early in order to secure the upcoming recruiting class. Also, during this holiday season, please find it in your heart to forgive me for not being 1000% accurate in the timeline of coaching changes at Michigan. I didn't see the need to run to wikipedia just to please you. The jist of the point I was trying to make was that Carr took exception to Miles leaving....a point that obviously flew way over you head.Now I know where your name comes from. Do yourself and favor and get that Ritalin script refilled.
Geaux SEC
Geaux Tigers
Jeff said:
posted on November 23, 2007 10:55 PM — 12.47.224.8 — link — abuse?
TE... All I can say is...
THANK YOU!!!! From a huge Michgan fan....
Honestly, I thought I was the only person in the world who understood that the game had passed Lloyd by & that he was very stubborn in his attempts to hold on to 1990's Big Ten football. When will these geriatric, 3 yards & a cloud of dust coaches fall on the sword, resign themselves to the Senior Citizen homes they belong in & leave us with the peace of mind we deserve??
Too many times I've seen talented players come through Ann Arbor, only to be switched to defensive backs, fullbacks & linebackers. Not to mention with all these spread offenses & hybrid spread offenses in college football. We've had guys here like Steve Breaston who could had run that offense in a heartbeat. Hell, Breaston WAS a high school quarterback!!! But OH NO.... Lloyd puts these guys out as receivers, and therefore killing their chances at doing great things--individually, as well as team-wise.
Whether it's Brian Kelly, Les Miles...hell, I'd take June Jones (lol)...
Good riddance Lloyd & bring 'em on!!!!
KEGofKOOLAID said:
posted on November 24, 2007 12:48 AM — 70.62.161.114 — link — abuse?
Jeff as a "Buckeye fan and Big Ten homer" the rest of the Big Ten has made their 00's changes except Penn ST
SEC homers can say all day long how bad the Big Ten is all day long. Untimely deaths and firings have done their damage to the Big 10 although the quality of players haven't dropped dramaticcaly Just the coaching for now
just to clarify I respect the SEC but there are many over dramatic SEC homers on this site and I almost respect almost half of them
sorry about the grammer I'm drunk
Go Bucks
Go Sooners
GO Huskies "Even if they cheat big time"West Virginia is the only team I fear my Buckeyes playing in a bowl game
Bring on Les Miles and his over the top aggressivness it wont work against tressel
Please note that all comments are subject to the Fanblogs Comment Policy.
Sweet Home Alabama said:
posted on November 20, 2007 1:56 PM — 75.120.228.174 — link — abuse?"I'm playing football for LSU. I love this team.""
Now crazy Less is putting on the uniform? They may need him Saturday.