Fear The Hat: Miles Has the "Process" Dialed In

With a 2007 National NCAA Football Championship notched on his belt, Coach Les Miles of the LSU Fighting Tigers had to be licking his chops for the 2008 season.

Expectations were high with Ryan Perrilloux, a Junior phenom who led LSU to an SEC Championship against Tennessee. With Perrilloux at the helm of a team loaded with talent; LSU most likely would have given a serious threat to contend for a back-to-back national championship.

Having been much publicized already, Coach Miles had to dismiss the troubled quarterback from the team after a multitude of sins.

With no other quarterback that has had any serious playing time, you would think that the 2008 campaign would bring a sense of…”what do we do now“ attitude.

”Not so fast my friend”, as Lee Corso would say.

The 2008 LSU Tigers are on the hunt… and they’re hungry.

Coach Miles said after Friday’s practice, “Today was one damn good practice.” He said he had researched teams that won back-to-back championships and found one common trait: you don’t change the formula that brought you success already…stay true to the process.

Coach Miles said it’s important “you don’t change the recipe on a team that’s had success, not only in one year but in many years. That’s where we’re at.”

What helps keep the process ongoing…leadership. Not just the head coach and the assistant coaches…but players on the team who step up to take the role that a Glenn “Putt” Dorsey had or a Jacob Hester.

Say hello to Darry Beckwith, a Sr. middle linebacker who is emerging as one of several key leaders on the team.

Co-Defensive Coach, Brad Peveto has said that Beckwith has done plenty to lead by example and is approaching things as if it’s his defense, and his team.

Miles said Beckwith’s attitude about the post-practice run Friday was he didn’t care how long it took for the Tigers to run. It would either be excellent or keep running until they did it right.

Does the team see his leadership? Junior linebacker Perry Riley said Beckwith’s attitude and actions after practice did not come as a surprise to him.

“I expect that from him,” Riley said. “He’s been a leader. This is his third year starting, so everybody on defense looks up to him. It impresses me, but I also expect that from him.”

Will the LSU repeat as National Champions? With home games against pre-season number one Georgia, and playing Florida, Auburn, and South Carolina on the road, will no doubt provide a huge test for the 2008 team. 

But with the scent of a fresh kill still lingering in the humid air of Louisiana from the Ohio State mauling, may have only awakened even a bigger appetite for crystal in new and up-coming Tigers who have bought into Coach Miles process.