LSU is one reason. Nobody could win there. It was a mediocre program for years and years.
(For reference, consider that .650 is about 8 wins a year)
Bernie Moore in the 30s and 40s had a .670 WP.
Gaynell Tinsley was barely over .500
Paul Dietzel's six years averaged .650.
Jerry Stovall was barely over .500
Bill Arnsparger had just two years at .750
Mike Archer went .598
Curley Hallman was .364
Gerry Dinardo went .578.
So from about 1979 to 2000 (21 years) with the exception of two Arnsparger years, LSU was barely over .500. Saban went .750 in his three.
Then they hired Miles.
Who didn't ridicule that? Who didn't make fun of him and think he was the biggest boob ever? What's Miles done? He's taken a program that had no real historical basis -- certainly not the legacy Auburn had -- and has an .806 WP.
LSU had two SEC titles between 1958 and 2001. One in 1970, one 16 years later in 1986, another one fifteen more years later in 2001. Since then, four.
Miles replaced offensive coordinators, replaced defensive coordinators, changed offensive and defensive schemes, handled NCAA queries, handled player injuries and ignorance and recruited his ass off.
LSU was not relevant before Miles. Even the Saban years were seen as anomalies then. They were half a rung above MSU. They considered Ole Miss to be their biggest rival.
Today? We're their punching bag.
Why? And don't tell me about schemes and youth and all that other mess.
9 Replies
1390 Views