Well, I'm back. Since I took to tweeting during games, I assumed it was unnecessary to continue submitting blogs. Well after LSU's no-show against Alabama, what I have to say can't be said in 140 characters. Also, a friend suggested that I could do both. What a concept.
I get asked all the time, why does Les Miles refuse to change his approach?
While most would say his approach is successful. They point to his record, his players getting drafted and a BSC title. My usual response is that while he's a good man and a good coach, he lacks the skills to be an elite coach. He's unable to change his approach in times of crisis and also adjust to the modern game and athlete. That's why you see his teams have to fight and claw to beat teams of inferior talent. See EMU and WKU. See dominating Miss St and Florida only to hang on for dear life to the very end. For the most part, though, his teams do beat the teams they should beat.
As for the LSU-Bama game. Or lack thereof. Even when LSU was successful trying other things. Like play-action and going over the top, twice successful. Or read-option but reading the DT instead of the DE. Again, successful. Miles didn't stick with it. As if refusing to acknowledge not doing it his way works. Even as Alabama safeties were selling out to the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball to get to Leonard Fournettte, Miles refused to change.
I would say that Nick Saban is in Les Miles head, but I'm not convinced there's a head there to get inside. No, this isn't a cheap shot(maybe it its) but rather a statement on the ego of a man named Leslie Miles.
Yes, I said ego. How else can you explain the least self analytical coach I've seen in my lifetime. Example. After two series against Bama, it was painfully obvious to the most basic observer that lining up in the I formation and pounding Fournette against their wall of granite wasn't going to work. It was also obvious that Saban knew exactly what LSU was going to do. But the Miles ego prevented him from changing his approach. As if doing so was an admission of weakness.
That's all ego. 100% pride.0% self analytical.
Now take Saban. Considered by many, the most egotistical coach in college football. He also believed in an I formation type approach. But what does he do? He constantly evolves.
In 2011 he loses to LSU in the famous 9-6 game because the Tigers used QB Jordan Jefferson's mobility to get to the edge just enough times to move the chains, possess the ball and control the clock. Saban analyzed himself, changed his approach and went out and dominated LSU in the 21-0 rematch, you remember, the BCS Championship game.
What did Miles do? He assumed all was well, what they did worked the first time and it will work again.
All ego. 100% pride. 0% self analytical.
Saban hasn't lost to Les Miles since. That's five straight and 7-3 overall. He also added another BCS championship. That makes 4-1 Saban. 5-0 if you count Miles' '07 team built by Saban.
In 2012 Saban starts losing to zone read, spread option, hurry-up no-huddle teams like Oklahoma or Auburn. So he changes his approach again. He starts recruiting leaner, quicker defensive lineman with better stamina. He brings in an offensive coordinator to adopt some of the principles that are beating him. Low and behold, an admission of a weakness!
That's non-ego. 100% self analytical.
But for one season, Miles has had problems at quarterback. He keeps recruiting zone read, spread option QBs to play in his I formation, pro style offense. This takes at least one season to forget old mechanics and learn new ones. One season to play in games to gain practical experience. Then hopefully, by the third season, be ready to emerge as a viable SEC QB. That's if you get the right guy. If you don't, you're set back three seasons. See Jordan Jefferson and Anthony Jennings.
That's all ego. 100% pride. 0% self analytical.
Saban? He starts by recruiting QB's that fit his system. Uses the seniority approach. Wilson passes the torch McElroy who passes it to McCarron who passes it to Sims. All with success. But what about when those system QBs are not available? Saban goes the graduate with eligibility route. Brings him along and by season's end, he's playing championship ball within the system. In other words, Saban admits a weakness and adjusts his approach.
That's non-ego. 100% self analytical.
Miles? He had apportunities to go the graduate eligible route. One such opportunity was before the 2011 season. A QB graduated from NC State. Had a year of eligibility left. He was looking to play for a team with championship credentials. He gave Les Miles a call. Miles said thank you, but we're fine at QB. So that QB went to U of Wisconsin. In his one and only season, he lead them to the Big Ten Championship. Was named MVP of that championship game.
That QB? Future Super Bowl winning QB Russell Wilson. Miles, in effect, told him "no thanks, we have Jordan Jefferson".
That's all ego. 100% pride. 0% self analytical.
Rest assured, if you're a Les Miles true believer, your life will be fine until he rides into the sunset. He'll continue to get those eight, nine or ten win seasons and win some more Chick-fil-A bowls.
But if you're like me, and believe LSU can do even better. You know that won't happen under Miles. He'll continue to lose to Saban and blow at least one other winnable game per season. He'll continue to make easy games close and turn big leads into nail biters. He'll keep recruiting those square peg QBs for the round hole position.
And on 3rd and two? We all know what's coming next.
All ego. 100% pride. 0% self analytical.
