Coaching Carousel: Les Miles Survives, Mark Richt Is Gone

They showed up in full force as the team marched into Tiger Stadium before Saturday’s game, with Miles remarking on LSU’s pregame radio show that it “was as deep a crowd as I’ve ever seen on Victory Hill”.

As Les Miles approached the podium for his postgame news conference on Saturday night, a former local reporter and passionate LSU supporter mumbled a subtle comment to Miles.

All that preceded Alleva’s stunning announcement, which is sure to delight LSU faithful everywhere as well as others confused by some Tigers boosters seemingly having turned on Miles.

“I want to make it very clear and positive that Les Miles is our football coach and he will continue to be our football coach”, Alleva said. Despite the success, fans and the Tiger Athletic Foundation (TAF) questioned whether Miles was capable of leading the Tigers in the future. “You betcha. I think “serious overhaul” is appropriate, but would be a little much”. The SEC record for single-season rushing yards was set in 1981 by Herschel Walker of Georgia (1,891). When the game ended, LSU players hoisted Miles on their shoulders to walk him off the field.

Miles, in his 11th year, has won two SEC titles and one national championship since becoming LSU coach in 2005. The website, along with the Palm Beach Post, reported Saturday morning that Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher had informed those around him that he meant to remain at FSU. Three more runs moved the Tigers up to the Aggie 29.

What happens when Saban comes to Baton Rouge next November and looks to record a 6th consecutive victory over Miles and the Tigers at Tiger Stadium, once again? “We seemed to undershoot our mark this year”, Miles said shortly after LSU athletic director Joe Alleva announced that there are in fact no plans to make a coaching change.

Les Miles keeping his job is good for college football. After the final whistle, the coach was carried off the field. “We’re committed to winning together”, Alleva said.

“Coming off the field into the press conference last night, the feeling was that we just watched the end of the movie”, said Charles Hanagriff, Sports Director for The Eagle 98.1.

After the LSU defense forced a three-and-out on Texas A&M’s first possession, the Tigers drove 44 yards in nine plays with the march culminating in a 32-yard field goal by Trent Domingue.

“King Alexander came up and said, ‘I want you to be our coach, ‘” Miles said. Its defense held A&M to a mere 250 total yards. LSU had trailed 10-0 to Alabama, 21-0 to Arkansas and 24-0 to Ole Miss in the first halves of its three previous games and never caught up. The Tigers are returning most starters, including quarterback Brandon Harris and running back Leonard Fournette, and now have the #2 recruiting class for 2016. Words were scribbled next to it: “Miles’ last stand. Hell of a coach”.