Les Miles Michigan: Is He an Idiot or Brilliant For Staying at LSU?
The news it out, Les Miles is staying at LSU.
"I am pleased to announce that Les Miles will remain the head coach at LSU," said LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva. "Les has led this program to many great successes on the field and his players represent LSU well off the field. We look forward to many great years of LSU football under his leadership."
Now the question remains, is returning to LSU the right decision for Miles?
Les Miles was a player and graduate assistant at Michigan at the start of his career.
The Michigan program, which is in desperate need to start winning, could certainly have used his help.
Here we'll take a look at whether Les is smart or crazy for returning to LSU.
1. Genius: Rich Rod's Players
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Rich Rod and Les Miles are hardly the same style of coach.
Rodriguez has spent the last three seasons at Michigan compiling a 15-22 record with players that fit his spread-option attack.
Les, who features more of a pro-style offense, with emphasis on a quarterback that can throw, would need time to get the players he needs to succeed in place.
1. Idiot: Low Expectations
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Michigan has not won a bowl game since 2007, Lloyd Carr's final season.
The Wolverines are desperate to start winning again and any semblance of success early will reflect positively on Miles.
There may not be another chance for Miles to get back to Michigan in such a dire state, whoever does take over Michigan could leave it in a much better state than the current situation.
2. Genius: Recruiting Differences
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Recruiting in college football is almost as important as playing the actual game.
While the Michigan name holds water for almost any top recruit, Les has been accustomed picking players all around the South.
In his time at Oklahoma State, Miles could pick from Texas.
At LSU, Miles has the luxury of picking players from Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida.
Recruiting up in the crowded Big Ten is a different animal.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
2. Idiot: The Savior Role
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With Michigan being in such a hole, Miles could be the man that changes the culture of Michigan football for the foreseeable future.
Rodriguez's tenure could very well be the worst years of any coach in Michigan's storied history.
Miles, a "Michigan Man", would have a shot at reviving the very program he started from.
The potential savior role, from an actual Wolverine, would be one of the biggest stories in the program's history.
3. Genius: The New Look Big Ten
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With the Big Ten expansion ready to roll next season, the Wolverines would have to deal with Nebraska, Iowa, and Michigan State every season.
The new look conference breakdown, separated into two divisions, could send a wave of surprise the Wolverines way in 2011.
While the SEC has better competition than the Big Ten, top to bottom, Miles has not consistently faced other unfamiliar teams since taking over at LSU in 2005.
3. Idiot: Weak New Schedule
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The new look Big Ten does lineup nicely for the Wolverines in 2011 however.
Five consecutive home games to open the season featuring a couple non-conference opponents and a visiting Minnesota should could make the early season transition easier.
The toughest matchups - Ohio State and Nebraska - will visit Michigan at the end of the season.
The combination of a lighter September with the two toughest matchups of the season at home, would give a boost of confidence for the new coach.
4. Genius: Defensive Uncertainty
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While LSU's defense was one the better units in the nation this season, Les Miles has always had the help of a very good defensive coordinator behind him.
Michigan, whose defense is in serious trouble and has very little depth, leaves much to be desired.
If Miles cannot get his current coordinator, John Chavis, to come with him or get the school to agree to it, Miles could be in trouble.
If Michigan's defense is highly ineffective, the Les' offense, could suffer.
4. Idiot: How Long Will It Last at LSU?
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Sustained success is hard to come by in any profession, football most of all.
While LSU has always been in contention for the SEC under Miles, there is nothing to say that it will last forever.
The SEC has won five straight BCS National Championships, there is no telling how one poor season in Baton Rouge will affect the fans' tolerance of Miles.
At Michigan, it is a fresh start, a place to build from the ground up and the program anew.
5. Genius: It's LSU
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Miles has a great thing going at LSU right now.
He gets a fantastic paycheck, can sign an enormous recruiting class, and competes for titles in the toughest conference in college football.
Players want to play at LSU for a chance at a conference championship, a chance to routinely play against the best, and a chance to win a National Championship.
5. Idiot: It's Michigan
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Michigan is a great opportunity.
The tradition, the history, Miles' own history in the Maize and Blue; it is everything a "Michigan Man" could want.
The Wolverines could still pay him a fantastic salary, give him what he needs to succeed, and hopefully the patience necessary to make it all happen.
Miles Is A Genius
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The Michigan program would be a tough rebuild for anyone, even Miles.
The program has little depth defensively, a roster full of players tailored for a certain system, and a fan base desperate for success.
The Wolverines' job would take a lot of time, and the increased expectations on a guy of Miles' stature, with his Michigan history, could weigh too heavily over the entire rebuilding process.
Miles has a good thing going down in Baton Rouge right now and he is a genius for staying there.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
