“Les Miles is our football coach and he will continue to be our football coach”, Alleva said.
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While being interviewed by SEC Network’s Maria Taylor, Les Miles paused mid-interview and began singing the LSU Alma Mater with his team in front of a prodigious crowd for what many believed was the last time.
Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin is still trying to figure out how to beat LSU. ESPN reported this week that Miles would likely be fired after the season – which The Advocate did not report. “Winning championships is something Joe wants to work toward fully and I’m right with him”.
“It’s nice for them to come say to me, ‘Hey, the job you’ve been doing, you can still do it.’ I like that”. “We haven’t quite gotten him back on track”.
There are reasons to be optimistic as Miles continues to be the Tigers’ coach. Miles also has what could be the No. 1 recruiting class in all of college football prepared to sign in February.
Leonard Fournette’s performance gave him LSU’s single-season rushing record at 1,741 yards, surpassing the mark of 1,686 yards set by Charles Alexander in 1977.
When asked if it was hard to remain focused on football when the media constantly reports eminent doom, Miles responded confidently. “I’m very pleased about tonight’s outcome and very pleased that Coach Miles is our coach”. LSU’s administration had declined to comment on Miles’ status, fueling speculation that his days roaming Death Valley’s home sideline were about to end after 11 seasons.
Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice, highly touted recruits brought in by Miles, both combinded for 275 total yards on offense.
There were a handful of pre-snap penalties and the passing game was largely ineffective.
“It has been hard, not just with (speculation about) coach Miles, but with us having lost the last three games”, Fournette said. A number of his passes sailed over intended receivers or skipped off the grass short of their mark. Most of his receptions came on check downs to running backs, including a critical third-down swing pass to Fournette for a 17-yard gain that sustained the Tigers’ final scoring drive.
It’s nothing new for LSU against A&M.
LSU’s defense stood tall, helping overcome a shaky outing from Harris (8-for-21) and three missed field goals by Trent Domingue. Tiger Stadium erupted when Miles walked out before the seniors were honored, tipping his cap to the crowd at the 20-yard line. “You are our coach.’ Joe Alleva followed that up after, ‘I want you to be our coach.’ It was magnificent”.
Miles would not rule out staff changes, but he seemed to support offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.
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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.
