It read, “Keep Les Miles”. After the final whistle, the coach was carried off the field.
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LSU head coach Les Miles has been under fire since losing to Alabama earlier this month, and reports this week indicated that he could soon be fired regardless of the outcome of Saturday night’s game against Texas A&M. “It’s nice to be told that the job you’ve been doing, you still can do it. I like that”. Signs in support of Miles dotted campus, and Alleva finally debunked speculation that Miles would not return as coach. Fisher reportedly told Florida State last week, though, that he will be staying in Tallahassee, Florida.
“King Alexander came up and said, ‘I want you to be our coach, ‘” Miles said.
LSU (8-3) announced after the game Miles would retained as head coach.
LSU players didn’t find out until word began circulating about Alleva’s announcement. First, firing him would have risked public backlash. “These last three weeks will help this team grow and help us grow in life”. “It was hard for everybody”. We should be a team playing for championships. “God does everything for a reason”.
The Tigers could have won by much more. It included one pass attempt – a big one.
During the first quarter of Saturday’s game, a banner hung from a suite on the east side of Tiger Stadium. Fournette, whose 1,741 yards rushing in his sophomore season has set a single-season school record, added his 18th TD of the season on a late 4-yard run. “I was exhausted; I ain’t gonna lie. By the time we got to the end of the game and carrying Coach Miles, he was pretty light, but I was exhausted”. Of course, as a whole, the season was a disappointment for the Tigers, as their College Football Playoff hopes quickly dissipated during the month of November with three straight losses. LSU linebacker Deion Jones (45) and defensive end Lewis Neal (92)…
It’s nothing new for LSU against A&M.
Some of the very aspects of LSU’s game that have bothered Miles’ critics for years showed up against the Aggies (8-4, 4-4). “We didn’t play very smart tonight”, said Sumlin, who dropped to 0-4 against LSU since the Aggies joined the Southeastern Conference in 2012.
LSU QB Brandon Harris was 7 of 21 for 83 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.
LSU’s Domingue kicked 38-yard FG.
Players, like Miles, didn’t know the coach’s fate until after the game. The chain of command starts with Coach Miles. “Let’s be real”, Alexander said.
Here’s to a great week, although it will be a weekend without LSU football. That’s what you have to do if you want to be good in this league. If the Tigers can successfully implement a more competitive offensive system and limit mistakes, they will assuredly be in contention for the playoffs next season.
Got “my attention”, he said smiling.
Whether you believe that Miles won that title because of his outstanding job of coaching a talented group of young men to the pinnacle achievement of their young adult lives, or if you just think he got lucky by inheriting Saban’s leftovers, is a moot point.
Inside Death Valley before kickoff, the crowd roared when Miles was introduce during Senior Day ceremonies. They chanted Miles’ name as he waved to them.
During the first quarter, a banner hung from a suite on the east side of Tiger Stadium. And it’s Les Miles.
Alleva came to the postgame press conference and bellowed his confidence in the previously shaky head coach.
What’s your take? Did LSU make the right move?
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Later, he was asked to describe riding on his linemen’s shoulders.
