Coach Les Miles Was Right

Never known to be reserved or bashful, did Coach Miles get it right when boasting about the SEC last season? Lew Wright weighs in.

by Lew Wright (Senior Writer)

8

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Sports

May 02, 2008

College Football, SEC Football, LSU Football, USC Football, Les Miles

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Prior to the beginning of last season, LSU football Coach Les Miles was in a feisty mood during a press conference. Seems that he was growing weary of the barrage of questions about BCS rankings.

He went personal.

In his “humble” opinion, USC was playing in a weak football conference, the Pac-10.

“They’re going to play real knockdown, drag-outs with UCLA and Washington, Cal-Berkeley, Stanford - some real juggernauts,” Miles sarcastically sniped about the Trojans.

Others have attempted to substantiate Coach Miles boast with inter-conference and bowl records.

Here’s the measurement that will put the suggestion that the Pac-10 teams, including, UCLA, Washington, Cal and Stanford, are athletically challenged.

The NFL draft.

Let’s compare conferences, shall we?

SEC - 35 players drafted

Pac-10 - 34 players drafted

ACC - 33 players drafted

Big 12 - 29 players drafted

Big Ten - 28 players drafted

We’re looking at factual stats here. No opinions or spins necessary. It’s clear that the SEC was the “dominant” conference this past season.

What? You’re not so clear?

Well, take a look at the two schools to see if Coach Miles might have more stats to back up his snubbing of the Pac-10.

LSU - 7 players drafted

USC - 10 players drafted

Oh.

Coach Miles is an excellent football coach.

When it comes to passing judgement on other conferences or individual universities…not so much.

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comments (8) write a comment »

  1. I remember his comments, what a boob. I just want USC to play LSU and watch the Trojans roll

    1. Coach Miles certainly thinks highly of himself. And his conference.

  2. You're right he was wrong. He was being sarcastic about knockdown dragouts with Stanford but the Cardinal beat USC.

    Congrats to USC for winning the Draft National Championship!!!!

  3. It's not so much an issue of who is right. Respect. Intended or not, Coach Miles dissed a group of fine universities.

    Hardly the right thing to do.

  4. yes i agree. in fairness to Les, he made the comment at a booster rally and was not aware any of his comments were on the record. they came out after the fact.

    i wouldn't think he'd knowingly make a comment like that with the press around.

    but i get where you're coming from.

    1. Thanks for your take on Coach Miles. Given how he handled the Michigan job situation, makes sense that his comments on USC and the Pac-10.

  5. The Pac-10 vs SEC debate lives on! This is a good time of year to rehash Miles' comments and start building up the competitive fires amongst college football fans. Spring practice may be just behind us, but the season is just around the corner. Can't wait until August!

    1. You are spot on Dave. Dreams are expounded as the real deal between now and the opening kickoff to THE season. College football!

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About the Author Lew Wright (senior writer)

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