I just don't get it - Les Miles, etc.

[SILVER BULLET]

We're seeing firings like this more and more in college football. When it happens in the NFL, it's business and that is understood. When coaching changes are made at the college level, a program doesn't bounce back or endure the change the same way an NFL team would. For most college programs, there is a time of adjustment and losing, i.e. Michigan. For some, it could end up being years, resulting in coach musical chairs if you will. There is such a thing as a "coach fit", and LSU and Les Miles were a fit, IMO, just as Harbaugh is to Michigan now.

LSU to the SEC is very much the same as Michigan State is to the B1G, and that's from a historical perspective. Both programs used to be middle of the road in their respective conferences and have had success lately. LSU a bit more, but nonetheless successful. Dantonio is a hero in East Lansing, and Les Miles is unemployed. The difference is LSU having a bit more, with that national championship and playing for others. Expectations went through the roof at LSU. Unreasonable expectations. Miles has had a fairly young team the past couple of years, trying to fill the gaps in the depth chart after early defections to the NFL. That's not always an easy task. Miles recruits as well as the best out there, and he has elevated LSU. Just take a look at their record during the 90s, for an example.

Since 2012, LSU has a winning percentage that is top 15 in all the land. They haven't won a championship in that span, but the program has become a consistent winning one. It hasn't always been that way.

1.-Ohio St.-(53-4-0)--0.92982
2.-Alabama-(54-6-0)--0.90000
3.-Florida St.-(52-7-0)--0.88136
4.-Clemson-(50-8-0)--0.86207
5.-Oregon-(47-11-0)--0.81034
6.-Stanford-(46-12-0)--0.79310
7.-Michigan St.-(45-12-0)--0.78947
8.-Baylor-(44-12-0)--0.78571
8.-Louisville-(44-12-0)--0.78571
10.-Georgia-(43-14-0)--0.75439
11.-Oklahoma-(41-14-0)--0.74545
12.-Wisconsin-(42-16-0)--0.72414
13.-Texas A&M-(40-16-0)--0.71429
13.-Notre Dame-(40-16-0)--0.71429
15.-LSU-(39-16-0)--0.70909

From 1990-99, LSU went 54-58-1.

Just like Georgia last year with Mark Richt and now Miles, I believe the firing of these two outstanding coaches was a huge mistake. Granted, both programs are nationally prominent at this time, Georgia more so historically consistent than LSU. However I believe at this time in college football, it may take these programs a while to get back to winning the way they were the past several years. We'll see what happens.

 

[TigerBait1971]

'preciate your interest in our program...

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

I guess the fans in Baton Rouge ran out of patience for that offense to wake up. What a shame for Les; he WAS a constant winner at LSU, and he got Oklahoma State off the ground back in the day.

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

We're seeing firings like this more and more in college football. When it happens in the NFL, it's business and that is understood. When coaching changes are made at the college level, a program doesn't bounce back or endure the change the same way an NFL team would. For most college programs, there is a time of adjustment and losing, i.e. Michigan. For some, it could end up being years, resulting in coach musical chairs if you will. There is such a thing as a "coach fit", and LSU and Les Miles were a fit, IMO, just as Harbaugh is to Michigan now.

LSU to the SEC is very much the same as Michigan State is to the B1G, and that's from a historical perspective. Both programs used to be middle of the road in their respective conferences and have had success lately. LSU a bit more, but nonetheless successful. Dantonio is a hero in East Lansing, and Les Miles is unemployed. The difference is LSU having a bit more, with that national championship and playing for others. Expectations went through the roof at LSU. Unreasonable expectations. Miles has had a fairly young team the past couple of years, trying to fill the gaps in the depth chart after early defections to the NFL. That's not always an easy task. Miles recruits as well as the best out there, and he has elevated LSU. Just take a look at their record during the 90s, for an example.

Since 2012, LSU has a winning percentage that is top 15 in all the land. They haven't won a championship in that span, but the program has become a consistent winning one. It hasn't always been that way.

1.-Ohio St.-(53-4-0)--0.92982
2.-Alabama-(54-6-0)--0.90000
3.-Florida St.-(52-7-0)--0.88136
4.-Clemson-(50-8-0)--0.86207
5.-Oregon-(47-11-0)--0.81034
6.-Stanford-(46-12-0)--0.79310
7.-Michigan St.-(45-12-0)--0.78947
8.-Baylor-(44-12-0)--0.78571
8.-Louisville-(44-12-0)--0.78571
10.-Georgia-(43-14-0)--0.75439
11.-Oklahoma-(41-14-0)--0.74545
12.-Wisconsin-(42-16-0)--0.72414
13.-Texas A&M-(40-16-0)--0.71429
13.-Notre Dame-(40-16-0)--0.71429
15.-LSU-(39-16-0)--0.70909

From 1990-99, LSU went 54-58-1.

Just like Georgia last year with Mark Richt and now Miles, I believe the firing of these two outstanding coaches was a huge mistake. Granted, both programs are nationally prominent at this time, Georgia more so historically consistent than LSU. However I believe at this time in college football, it may take these programs a while to get back to winning the way they were the past several years. We'll see what happens.

It is a bit absurd. Les has won a national title there, has like the 2nd most wins in LSU history as a coach and was fired. Schools have to be very careful because it isn't always greener on the other side. Like you said, see Michigan.

But I think Les was always seen as an outsider because he had no ties to the south. So the moment things started to slip, he became the outsider who can't win as much as they should be winning. This could work out OK for them -- or this could start a disastrous slide like other programs have experienced.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

I heard speculation that they got rid of Miles because they're going to make a run at Herman.

 

[Codaxx]

I guess the fans in Baton Rouge ran out of patience for that offense to wake up. What a shame for Les; he WAS a constant winner at LSU, and he got Oklahoma State off the ground back in the day.

Do you even Jimmy Johnson?

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Jimmy Johnson

You have to respect a guy whose first and last names are both synonyms for penis.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Do you even Jimmy Johnson?

Wait, what? What does that even mean?

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Silver...I'm not the biggest CFB fan, but I do watch some SEC and I can say...these schools look at CFB in a different light in the south.

Winning games is not enough at the football factories of the SEC. TN let Fulmer go and are just now recovering to the point of being a somewhat respected program on the national level...you mentioned UGA.

Bottomline...not every school can be Alabama.

IMO...CFB fans and programs put way too much stock into the HS rating system...5 star, 4 star, etc.

That said, imo this firing was in the works since midway thru last season...only a late surge saved his job...the slow start this season with at least 5 NFL projected draft picks on this squad...the natives were just not going to wait for another surge at the end of the season.

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

It will be interesting to see what happens to Miles. Some traditional power team like Penn State that's going to be looking for another coach (probably) could pick up Miles and get a huge steal.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

It will be interesting to see what happens to Miles. Some traditional power team like Penn State that's going to be looking for another coach (probably) could pick up Miles and get a huge steal.

Maybe he could snatch the Michigan gig once their boosters have their dreams shattered after losing to the Badgers on Saturday?

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

Maybe he could snatch the Michigan gig once their boosters have their dreams shattered after losing to the Badgers on Saturday?

We very well might lose to Wisconsin, but ultimately it won't matter. Beat MSU and OSU and we win the division.

 

[fishinabarrel]

We very well might lose to Wisconsin, but ultimately it won't matter. Beat MSU and OSU and we win the division.

Ain't happening

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

We very well might lose to Wisconsin, but ultimately it won't matter. Beat MSU and OSU and we win the division.

Wolverines got stretched by Colorado at home, and you're talking about beating MSU & OSU on the road? lol.

 

[HuskerinBig10]

They wanted him gone last year. I am sure he was told he had better be undefeated before the Alabama game.

He was allowed to bring in a hotshot DC from Wisconsin.

He knew what was expected of him this year. He did not perform and neither did Cam Cameron.

Now, LSU is front and center for Tom Herman. A guy that knows something about QBs, which is what LSU has been struggling with.

Les knew he was gone after his start so he might have become lackadaisical in his coaching, and LSU did not want someone that did not care holding the position.

Best time was to do it now. The fan base is extremely happy. They get first dibs on the next greatest coach.

Good move by LSU.

 

[7Samurai13]

Les Miles was in the same spot as Lloyd Carr was at the end of his time at Michigan. Consistently a 9-10 win a season guy, brings in good talent and puts them into the NFL but can't win the big games so the fan base and boosters are screaming for him to be fired. Only difference is Michigan let Lloyd finish out his contract so he can "retire".

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

Bottomline...not every school can be Alabama.

And even they went through a really dark period not too long ago.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

Best time was to do it now. The fan base is extremely happy. They get first dibs on the next greatest coach.

Good move by LSU.

I still think they need to hope for two things to NOT happen:

1) Houston going undefeated and making the playoffs
2) Houston getting invited to the Big Xii

 

[ATL96Steeler]

And even they went through a really dark period not too long ago.

True, but none of those HC came thru it...they just struck gold with Saban.

Just too much money in CFB these days and the athletic depts rely heavily on football...really surprised Charlie Strong is still at TX.

 

[tabascojet]

And even they went through a really dark period not too long ago.

"psst... i was never here"