Why Les Miles decided to stay
New York–Good morning from New York City, where we got a bunch of snow last night but this morning the sun is out and the main roads are clear. At this point of the journey it’s the little things that make you happy. Maybe I can actually get home to Atlanta tonight.
I apologize for posting this late but I want to touch on a few things as we start to wind down this week. Just to remind everyone of the schedule, I’ll spend the next few days wrapping up the 2010 season and looking ahead a little bit. Then I’ll step aside for the recruiting folks because that will dominate the conversation until signing day.
We’ll come back after signing day and start looking ahead to spring practice, 2011. It will be here quickly.
Here are just a few things I want to share before jumping out into the snow this morning:
1. Les Miles stayed because he listened to his head and not his heart: It was a very smart, very practical decision for Les Miles to stay at LSU and not go to Michigan, his alma mater. Miles has a very good team returning in 2011. LSU may be good enough to win the division and maybe more. But I thought the emotional tug of Michigan would be too hard to resist. The fact is that the next guy at Michigan, Brady Hoke, will have a lot of rebuilding to do. Miles took a hard look at Michigan and realized that it wasn’t the place where he played and coached. Life changes. He recognized that.
2. Why does the SEC win championships? It’s the big guys up front. Pat Dye, the former Auburn coach, told me a long time ago othat the biggest difference in the SEC and other football conferences is the big, fast defensive linemen who grow up and play in the South. It was clear in Monday night’s game that Oregon had not seen anybody like defensive tackle Nick Fairley. The SEC produces more of those players than any other conference. The SEC has won five straight national championships. That is not a coincidence.
3. I thought Saban and Meyer were pretty good on TV: ESPN caught some flak in some areas for putting Urban Meyer and Nick Saban on its coverage team for the BCS championship. But you are talking about two smart men who know the sport and who certainly know the SEC. Both have won multiple national championships. I heard from some Auburn people who thought Saban was stepping in on their moment. Expect to see more of Urban Meyer on TV this fall. He and I didn’t always agree on things but he knows his stuff and brings a different perspective to the games.
4. No one will break the SEC’s record of five straight BCS titles: I flew to NYC with a plane full of Auburn people trying to get home. Just about everyone I chatted with wanted to know if anybody would ever beat the SEC’s record of five straight national championships. I told them no because of two things:
It is just too hard to win one of these things. You have to be good, but you also have to have some good fortune. Auburn would be the first to say that they had the best football team in the country but that they could also go back to 4-5 bounces of the ball that could have changed everything.
The second is the SEC’s depth. The league has won five straight but it has been done by four different teams (Florida, Alabama, LSU, Auburn). No other conference has that kind of depth.
5. Could it be LSU’s turn again? In 2007 the BCS championship was in New Orleans and LSU won (beating Ohio State). In 2003 the BCS championship was in New Orleans and LSU won (beating Oklahoma). The 2011 BCS championship will be held in New Orleans. Are the Tigers primed to make it six in a row for the SEC? We’ll discuss that on Thursday as we look ahead to the SEC and ACC for 2011.
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240 comments Add your comment
JB
January 12th, 2011
10:26 am
atltiger 15…………………..You’ve got one thing we don’t ( other that a new crystal trophy…LOL) a staff that plays to win….not lose……….I know a lot of Georgia tickets holders, and when we drove the field and on 4th and one, kicked at FG Against Central Florida, and the team quit, knew it was over and we had the wrong guy calling the shots. Mark was playing not to lose, not to win. Anyone thinks Kelly from Oregon, or Patterson from TCU kicks a field goal THAT EARLY IN THE GAME. Congrats on your NC.
Why does TCU win championships?
January 12th, 2011
10:26 am
Auburn has nothing over Texas Christian University.
The BCS blew it again.
Old Dawg
January 12th, 2011
10:27 am
Tony, like other folks I want to thank you for your great work this season. It’s never easy to coordinate copy with such a large group of folks to gather information from, but your work is always great.
Be safe on your trip home and I’ll wait for your next piece.
CajunStorm
January 12th, 2011
10:30 am
As an LSUuuuuu fan here in Ga I am so torn on 2 things….1. Les drives me insane but he can recruit his butt off, motivate, and his teams step up in big games. So yes I hate him….but I loves crazy azz too. 2. Although I. Hope LSU beats the snot outta UGA and the Saints beat the smog outta den dirty birds… I do live here and hope that the Ga teams do well. Dat being said Mark Richt is a nice guy who has run his course. Ga is like La in high school football…all u have to do is recruit your state like Les does La and yall would be back but Mark R has lost the ears of hs kids and coaches to Auburn, Al, and Fl.
Chance
January 12th, 2011
10:30 am
JB- I don’t claim to know exactly what was said in the meeting (of course, no one else here knows either) but when the Michigan AD and his wife, as well as two other reps. make a trip to Baton Rouge to speak to Les Miles while looking for a new head coach, There is a very high probability that the job opening came up.
If Michigan AD just wanted to chat, a phone call would have been so much cheaper and saved so much time. So yes, I think it came up. Your take on it?
I realize people get emotional about these kinds of things, but you have to use common sense here.
3rdN8
January 12th, 2011
10:31 am
All Auburn
I agree about AU’s season next year. It will probably be a little down from this year….too many slots to fill on the OL, and defense. But Chizik is a big-time coach, and with another solid recruiting class will keep AU in the hunt.
Comment Here
January 12th, 2011
10:31 am
AU Notional Champs: how do you guys spin the Fairley personal foul during the game and the kicking of the Oregon player? I have got to hear this one.
UGAFan
January 12th, 2011
10:31 am
Atltiger15, your OC did a great job of making an offense around Cam.
In contrast, Bobo/Richt try to fit players into their offense.
Exhibit 1: Recruited Cam as a tight end.
News Article: Latest Bama News 1/12/11
January 12th, 2011
10:32 am
[...] Latest Bama News 1/12/11 Why Les Miles decided to stay Why Les Miles decided to stay | Mr. College Football Reply With Quote + Reply to Thread « Previous Thread | Next [...]
terry
January 12th, 2011
10:33 am
Chance, you mispelled auburn.
You & the media can make fun of Miles all you want but he has never been known as a dirty recruiter. His players are rarely in trouble with the law unlike other places. Every one of his 2010 recruits qualified to get in school. They all made their grades & ACT/SAT scores.
He can be bashed for his clock management issues but not his management of the program.
3rdN8
January 12th, 2011
10:34 am
JB
My brother and I were watching the UGA-UCF game. When Richt went for that field goal, we looked at each other and said “he just threw in the towel”. I thought that was a Top 10 coaching error for 2010.
JB
January 12th, 2011
10:35 am
CajunStorm…………. Per comments about Richt.Most see it…..some don’t want to…..It reminds me of an old man who needs a new energy efficient water heater but won’t get one because his 20 year old one still gives him hot water. Never mind it paying for itself in two years. If it ain’t broke mentality.
JB
January 12th, 2011
10:37 am
terry….this Dawg fan Agrees. But if Tenn had beat you guys…..Well, It would of not been pretty
Even Richt toasted them this year.
Check Yesterday's Blog Moron
January 12th, 2011
10:37 am
Comment Here
January 12th, 2011
10:21 am
AU National Champions – no one brought up Au here. Take your cheating trophy and shove up your $$$$. Thank you and shut up.
You are exactly who he’s talking about I believe. If you have been on here in the past few months I think you know what he’s referring to. Moron…..
Chance
January 12th, 2011
10:39 am
terry- I never even spelled Auburn. Nor did I ever make fun of Miles…I was defending Les Miles. Please get your facts straight. I think Les Miles is a fantastic coach and I love that the Madhatter stayed at LSU. No matter what you want you want to say about Les Miles, the bottom line is he wins games. End of story.
Go away toddlers
January 12th, 2011
10:39 am
I love how enamored these idiots are with chip kelly, urban and saban on tv, how “innovative they are,” smarter than Richt, etc….
If you think Richt is a bad coach or dumber than those guys then YOU MUST BE 4 YEARS OLD AND HAVE NO ACCESS TO ANY COLLEGE FOOTBALL REFERENCE MATERIALS.
The only difference between Richt and your hero Saban is that the bcs was smart enough to let sabans sec championship teams play in the big game, whereas Richts played in sugar bowls (while inferior teams played for title elsewhere).
Richt has as many conference titles as saban and urban (again, the only title a coach has actual control over winning).
The problem you idiots have is that Richt LOVES UGA, AND DOESNT RUN TO ANOTHER JOB OR “RETIRE” WHILE THE PROGRAM IS ON TOP. HE STICKS IT OUT THROUGH THE VALLEYS (which happen to every program) AS WELL AS THROUGH THE PEAKS.
Go away little children.
3rdN8
January 12th, 2011
10:40 am
Had a really bad dream last night….Mark Ingram was running down the sidelines for six….great run…over 56 AU defenders had a shot but missed…then out of nowhere a slowfooted AU LB punches the ball out….it rolls six inches from the sideline, for forty-four yards and through the endzone.
I woke up in a oold sweat.
How long is it until September?
terry
January 12th, 2011
10:42 am
“Mispelling” auburn is just a dig at all of their problems. Sorry about misremembering your comments.
JB
January 12th, 2011
10:43 am
Chance…..My thoughts? The Michigan AD came to Baton Rouge to offer and hire Les Miles. The guy they hired was back up plan……now, My Dawgs will be going through the same thing next year, And Our new AD will swing for the fences….and will be turned down probably more than once. No shame at all in that.
JB
January 12th, 2011
10:45 am
go away toddlers…………enjoy, ya’lls last year together.
sandman053
January 12th, 2011
10:46 am
I’m still trying to figure out who the Richt-haters think we could get???
JB
January 12th, 2011
10:47 am
sandman053……………Anyone with a set….LOL
3rdN8
January 12th, 2011
10:47 am
Go away toddlers
It’s interesting how the dynamics have changed re: head coaches. Fans are less willing to let a coach work through tough years. I’m old enough to remember Bear Bryant having a few of those. His ‘68, ‘69, and ‘70 teams were pretty poor. There was a little muttering at the barbershops as to whether the old man had lost his touch.
That all changed in 1971.
Beast from the East
January 12th, 2011
10:48 am
sandman053,
UGA can get just about anyone they choose to if they want to pay for it. Same can be said from most big-time programs. Money talks.
JB
January 12th, 2011
10:49 am
Why Richt has to go……. All our neighbors are fertilizing and cutting their green grass………and we’re raking rocks. That’s why.
sandman053
January 12th, 2011
10:50 am
3rdN8 I agree with you. Folks were wanting to run Miles off midway through the season and even the swamp lizards weren’t happy this year. I don’t understand the continued vitriol when the coach will be there this season. Save it until you see the results cause no amount of complaining is going to get him fired Pi$$-poor performance maybe, but now we need to support him and his recruiting efforts and see shat happens about September.
Chance
January 12th, 2011
10:51 am
Terry – I apologize that I didn’t get your dig and at my typo of of the word misspelling, I guess you are the type that feels he has to point out others mistakes as you have tried to do so twice now…
JB – I agree with you 100%. I hope all goes well for your Dawgs next year. I agree, no shame at all.
sandman053
January 12th, 2011
10:52 am
Beast I’m thinking Chizik won’t go anywhere or Mack Brown or Saban (greedy ba$&^rd that he is). Peterson I’m not sold on nor do I believe he would leave this year IMO.
do-dah do-dah
January 12th, 2011
10:53 am
SEC SEC SEC 5-5 atta boy guys
3rdN8
January 12th, 2011
10:55 am
I’m guessing that Michigan may have made a similar hire this week, to the one Bama made in 2003. After Franchone bailed, Mal Moore was turned down more often than Madonna’s bed spread. He wound up hiring Mike Price out of Washington State.
Fortunately, Price thought it would be a good idea to rent some evening entertainment using a U of A credit card…so he never coached a game.
JB
January 12th, 2011
10:55 am
Oregon had a better D than I thought, but AU was just so physical and it looked like the Ducks were feeling it in the second half. AU has a great team and the D was better than given credit.
Beast from the East
January 12th, 2011
10:57 am
sandman053,
Us “swamp lizards” were unhappy with the coaching down in Gainesville this year. No one wanted Meyer gone, but it was plain to see that he did not put forth his best effort this year. The general feeling was that if his heart was no longer in it then he needed to step aside or re-commit. I, for one, was glad he made the decision he did. We all wish him thr best with whatever he decides to do. Maybe he’ll be back in coaching in a couple of years. It’s a 24/7 job at any big-time program…..if you want to be succcessful.
Go away toddlers
January 12th, 2011
10:58 am
JB- You’re right. Let’s go out and get a new coach. Lets find one with sec connections, a couple SEC titles, a top 5 active winning percentage, a commitment to UGA, 3-4 SEC east titles, and an 80% bowl winning percentage.
Hmm, where can we find someone like that….
atltiger15
January 12th, 2011
10:59 am
This AU fan has never tried to portray Fairley as a saint. Of course we didnt like it when he jabbed James helmet to the ground or when he crunched Murray late. He plays with an edge and we was talked to about that. The man plays hard as hell and is down in the trenches with the big uglies trying to get the QB, with that said, there is no room in the game for late hits..I will say you have seen the last of him, with 9 brothers and a sister and coming from nothing, he has to do what he has to do, do you blame him
Beast from the East
January 12th, 2011
10:59 am
sandman053,
There’s probably 5-10 that would not leave where they’re at, but the rest can be had for the right price. That price may be more than you’re willing to pay, but they’re out there.
JB
January 12th, 2011
11:00 am
looking around, Most SEC coach’s except Richt are Cozy for the moment. I don’t see Georgia going after any ACC coach’s. That pretty much leaves it to a out west guy or an Assit. somewhere. I think Mullen will be offered. McGarity knows him from UF, and apparently, had a huge part in Urban’s success. MSU looked pretty good also. He’s not as polished as some would want, but he appears to be one tough SOB, which is what this program needs.
3rdN8
January 12th, 2011
11:01 am
Beast from the East
Everyone is different….including head football coaches. I think Meyer needed to step back and recharge his batteries. If you look at replays of the 2008 season, and then the 2010 season….the guy aged ten years.
I think he’ll be back in coaching in a year or so….I’m predicting his new office will be in Happy Valley.
JB
January 12th, 2011
11:02 am
go away toddlers…………. I’m surprised you didn’t bring up the 2002 & 2207 team….GEEZ.
JB
January 12th, 2011
11:02 am
that s/b 2007
sandman053
January 12th, 2011
11:03 am
Beast thanks for your viewpoint. No offense meant just old-fashioned rivalry. Especially consiering the record since you guys started playing football in 1991 you can take it.
JB I agree Mullen is a tough one. I just don’t want to write off UGA yet. I think they are making positive changes and am going to remind you folks of this in November (or vice versa).
Beast from the East
January 12th, 2011
11:03 am
JB,
I’m not sold on Mullen yet. I continue to hear about his lack of recruitng skills. That could be a MAJOR problem if you want to contend for championships. He was a really good OC at UF and has done well at MSU so far but the jury is still out. Of course, the same can be said about our latest hire.
Go away toddlers
January 12th, 2011
11:05 am
JB- the 2002 team was nasty! lets see if Richt can do that again. These things go in cycles. Show me a school that has played for every title for 10 years straight.
atltiger15
January 12th, 2011
11:06 am
One of my UGA buddies brought this to my attention yesterday and i want to hear some of the UGA faithful’s thoughts. If UGA struggles next year, Richt is fired and Urban takes the job. Motives: to prove he can turn the fortunes of the UGA-FLA rivalry, and he can bring UGA championship….I told him to get his head out of the snow
Mulk
January 12th, 2011
11:06 am
Bonehart,
When did agreeing with you become a requirement to be a football coach or TV analyst? If Meyer or anybody else didn’t “always agree with you”, I don’t think that would be as damaging as you probably think.
3rdN8
January 12th, 2011
11:07 am
What puzzled me most about the Michigan hire is lack of interest in Gary Patterson. I think Patterson would be a good fit in any conference. He has done more with less than about any HC in the past eight years. His resume’ far exeeds the one Brady Hoke can produce….yet he was never mentioned.
3rdN8
January 12th, 2011
11:08 am
atltiger15
I don’t think you’ll see Urban Meyer on the sidelines in an SEC game, unless he’s the visiting coach from a Big 10 school.
Beast from the East
January 12th, 2011
11:09 am
3rdN8,
You’re right. He does need to recharge and decide if he’s up for it all again. I’d love to see him take over for Joe Pa when (if) he ever decides to hang it up.
sandman053,
Hang in there. I spent the first 24 years of my life saying “wait till next year”. Well, next year finally arrived with the hiring of SOS. All it takes is the right coach. You’ve got the facilities, fan base, recruitng grounds, etc. Hopefully, Richt can get it turned around. He’s a great person to be representing UGA and the SEC. Just needs to get back to winning ballgames!
gomdawg
January 12th, 2011
11:09 am
Ya’ll kill me trying to replace CMR NEWS ALERT HE IS STILL AT GEORGIA AND IF YOU ARE A DAWG FAN YOU NEED TO BE WITH HIM , I’M GLAD I DONT HAVE FRIENDS LIKE YOU. SO WITH THAT SAID EITHER BE WITH HIM OR GO FIND YOU ANOTHER TEAM. DAMN GET A LIFE
Who is the toddler?
January 12th, 2011
11:11 am
I know, let’s just keep the coach who’s let our program sink to 6-7, ranked about 70th, and become an embarressment with 40+ player arrests the last 4 years.
Let’s stick with the coach who doesn’t have the nerve to go for 4th and inches, in a meaningless bowl game.
Let’s stay with a guy who being paid $3 Million (with another 2.5 million in staff salaries), who only now realizes a need to “study football.”
And by the way, what’s that “active winning percentage” stat is taking a nose dive, in case you haven’t noticed . . .
JB
January 12th, 2011
11:11 am
Beast…………….To be fair on Richt, He did do a great job the first 5-6 years at UGA. I felt we could beat anyone, anytime we stepped on the field. The last 3 years , the wheels have come off. We have some on here who are waiting for the magic to reappear. We would all like that back. Fact is, it’s been a 3 year slide with next year, even with the schedule, looking like a challenge with the lack of unproven and under coached players we have. Anyone can have a bad year, see your own Gators, But we have BIG problems….and they are not getting better. His post season press conference was almost embarrassing.