Interesting Miles Excerpt from Three and Out
This very interesting excerpt from Three and Out, which comes out on Tuesday, sheds some light on the coaching search in 2007-2008 that resulted in Rodriguez being hired.
Points of the article are:
- Miles stated in a December 2007 conference call with Bill Martin and MSC that he would accept the position only if they waited until January as he would not leave before the LSU bowl game.
- Carr was the one who first reached out to Rodriguez.
- Dave Brandon stated in 2010 that Miles would get the HC job "over his dead body."
Based on the article it sounds as though Miles would have been our next HC after Carr, if not for Carr's interference. For the record, even considering the success of LSU this year I would never have supported Miles getting the job. Call me crazy, but there are many successful college HC's that I have on my personal "do not hire" list, which includes Les Miles.
October 24th, 2011 at 4:26 PM ^
I will be more careful with my choice of words, didnt mean to insight so much debate or be labeled as 'flamebait.'
October 24th, 2011 at 3:07 PM ^
RR recruited kids who aren't "Michigan Men." How about you don't root for Michigan until all his players are gone then. Don't cheer for Denard, don't cheer for Roundtree (Hey, look at that, the two guys who connected on the final play against Notre Dame), don't cheer for Taylor Lewan, ect.
October 24th, 2011 at 4:23 PM ^
I love these kids. Just was a little skeptical of how well RR would do recruiting the spread in the BIG Ten.
October 24th, 2011 at 4:03 PM ^
You are entitled to your opinion, but there are a lot of players recruited to Michigan by Rodriguez, like Denard Robinson and Devin Gardner, who are everything any Michigan alum could ask of a player. It is at least my recollection that very few players recruited by RR have proven to be anything less than good kids who have worked hard and kept their noses clean. Maybe he was not able to get the five stars he would have liked, but his recruiting would have picked up if he started winning. He was left with a bad team, had a horrible first year and then had to recruit around his W-L record.
October 24th, 2011 at 4:21 PM ^
his recruiting would have picked up if circumstances were better, for sure. But, I am saying for the "fits" he was trying to bring to Michigan, the pipeline to the NFL was probably going to go through Columbus, South Bend, Happy Valley or Madison first for a lot of traditional NFL-potential skill players.
For all those that believe I am bashing our players just because they are RR's recruits...I route for our boys as hard as anyone. I want Denard and the other skill players to be successful at every level.
All i am saying is that it was a little concerning that RR has very few athletes in the NFL that are doing anything, comparative to past Michigan hires and other pro-style teams. Its a big deal to recruits what happens in the NFL.
October 24th, 2011 at 8:36 PM ^
How is he supposed to have a ton of atheletes in the N.F.L. when they are just now seniors or redshirt juniors? I know some kids leave early for the draft but its unfair to say he doesn't have enough talent in the league when he didn't even get a fourth year.
October 24th, 2011 at 9:07 PM ^
October 24th, 2011 at 9:13 PM ^
October 24th, 2011 at 9:24 PM ^
Corey McIntyre was a defensive player in college.
Owen Schmitt was a stud and they had no choice but to find a use for him--though of course they get full marks for finding a player like this as a walk-on out of D3.
October 25th, 2011 at 12:19 AM ^
Yes, referring mainly to his time at WVU.. As RRs Michigan recruits are still in school.
October 24th, 2011 at 9:21 PM ^
Good point, but maybe the poster was also drawing the conclusion that the players he recruited that are still on the team aren't serious NFL prospects either. And if that's the case, I'd agree with that. Which juniors and seniors on this team look like an NFL can't miss? MAYBE Lewan. Maybe?
October 24th, 2011 at 9:45 PM ^
Mike Martin, Koger, and Denard at some position? with Stonum, Roh, and Omameh getting an outside shot with good years next year. Maybe I am seeing this with Maize colored glasses on but at least Martin is a sure fire draft pick.
I did not list Hemmingway, Molk, or Van Bergen because they were Carr recuits but I think all three of those will get drafted IMHO.
October 25th, 2011 at 1:41 AM ^
October 24th, 2011 at 11:41 PM ^
You might want to let Florida know. It somehow sent a lot of players to the NFL with the spread.
October 24th, 2011 at 1:28 PM ^
I think Miles richly deserves his "hat/mad hatter" nickname. I also think he has produced a lot more than any HC at Michigan since LC's one great year in 1997. If Miles came to Michigan and won like he has at LSU, I am guessing that 95 percent of the fanbase would forget about his idiosyncracies and call it "Michigan Football."
The only time most people would bitch would be when he loses. That probably wouldn't happen very often. He would be such a great target for opposing fanbases that our friends in EL and Columbus might actually write or say something funny.
October 24th, 2011 at 1:39 PM ^
First off, there are some Michigan Men, as discussed on this board many times, that waiver on the respect meter, and to me, Les Miles is one.
But, I think you're right. Had he been our coach and won at a simliar clip as he has at LSU, we would love him!
But...since he is not our coach, I struggle with so many things about him; his attempt to be Bo, the grass eating, the lack of time management skills, etc.
But he wins! And his suspending of some of his best players this past weekend vs. Auburn is solid!
Is this book good or bad for us?
October 24th, 2011 at 2:43 PM ^
First off, I must state that I absolutely hate the "Michigan Man" meme. It seems like a nomiker that people use to hold themselves above others and/or exclude others, neither of which are necessarily good uses of the term.
That said, if what is said about Les Miles is true, does he still qualify to be a part of the "Michigan Man" club? Personally, I think Rich Rodriguez would be more qualified to be a part of that club than Les Miles. I could care less if Miles played for Bo and wins football games as a coach at LSU - everything I've read/heard about him disgusts me and I, for one, would not want him coaching my favorite team. Winning is important, but its not everything.
October 24th, 2011 at 2:51 PM ^
October 24th, 2011 at 10:53 PM ^
winning is everything in college football.
October 24th, 2011 at 5:36 PM ^
right. If Les comes here and wins the big ten in 2009 or 2010 (not saying it would have happened, only theoretically) and we go on to a BCS bowl game or better - all is forgotten & forgiven unless NCAA sanctions come down.
October 24th, 2011 at 8:10 PM ^
I'd always think he's a dumbass.
I'd enjoy the bragging rights and the championships. But I think you can have both, and it's not as sweet when you have both. When ND fans have to admit Brian Kelly is a nut job even though if they like the wins he's brought to the program...it's bittersweet.
At LSU it's acceptable. Schools like Michigan and Notre Dame, it would always be bettersweet to have that "win at all costs" attitude. Too many people like that "we're better than you" facade. Too many people like the fact that we're not Nick Saban and Alabama, Cam Newton and Auburn, Florida State and everyone, etc.
Guys like Les Miles don't coach at Michigan and Notre Dame, no matter what you or I think. Just doesn't happen. Along the same lines that we'd never recruit Demar Dorsey again if you look at mine, and other posts in that thread.
October 24th, 2011 at 1:31 PM ^
I don't like him because I think he's a dirty SEC coach but a lot of people on this board (and Carr and Brandon) really hate him. Anything specific?
October 24th, 2011 at 1:35 PM ^
He and Saban are the best two in the country at "oversigning" or "screwing over 18 year olds". Miles had a kid moving into his dorm room who got a phone call that they didn't have a scholarship for him. IIRC Miles didn't even make the phone call himself. I just wish the MSM would comment on how the #1 and #2 teams in the nation oversign like nobody else
October 24th, 2011 at 1:42 PM ^
There's no justice in college football, honestly at this point, if you're not cheating, you're not trying. The risk is almost non-existant but the rewards can be incredible
October 24th, 2011 at 1:51 PM ^
as the oversigning is allowed by the NCAA and SEC. They aren't/ weren't hiding it either as a simple google search will reveal their verbal commits. It's just how it is in the SEC and they winn NCs because of it. The NCAA can, but hasn't stopped oversigning.
October 24th, 2011 at 1:36 PM ^
The reason I do not care for Miles is the same as yours. As far as Carr and Brandon go, there are rumors (unsubstantiated as far as I know) out there that Miles may have been romantically involved with a fellow assistant's wife while on staff at Michigan. If true it certainly explains why indiviuals within the university hate him.
October 24th, 2011 at 1:37 PM ^
Les Miles nailed both of their wives. He's a gangsta like that.
October 24th, 2011 at 1:38 PM ^
Apparently Bacon claims that Carr and Brandon believed rumors that Miles was recruiting negatively against Michigan using rumors about Carr's health. From what I've heard, Bacon didn't pass judgement on these in his book other than to say that he thought Carr believed it, which would obviously be enough for Carr to have strong feelings about Miles.
October 24th, 2011 at 1:48 PM ^
went deeper than that.
October 24th, 2011 at 2:30 PM ^
There really isn't any doubt whatsoever that Lloyd Carr, with good reason, believed that Lester was negative recruiting against Lloyd, and specifically using alleged Parkinson's. This is "old news". Jai Eugene was committed to Michigan, decommitted to LSU. There were bad feelings before that, even, and LSU's recruiting in that instance futher sullied the relationship. Those who have been here long enough recall all the talk and rumors about Lester and Parkinson's etc. etc.
More than that, though, the history between Lester, Moeller, Bo and Lloyd goes back much further, all the way to Lester's time at Michigan. His "style" went on with Colorado and Ok State. He's been successful, but his "character" issues have pretty much trailed him everywhere he's been.
There was a very poignant quote from Bill Martin after Lloyd's retirement presser to the effect that "there was a campaign" being conducted for the Michigan job, and he (Bill Martin) wasn't going to get involved in it. He was referring to Lester's efforts to pool the football family around him. I wouldn't believe one word that Les said to Bacon or anyone else about what went down. Everything he does is to serve one purpose -- to futher his own agenda and benefit.
October 24th, 2011 at 9:45 PM ^
Miles's first name is actually Leslie.
October 24th, 2011 at 2:31 PM ^
Sorry, itchy trigger finger!
October 24th, 2011 at 5:13 PM ^
rimshot!
October 24th, 2011 at 1:40 PM ^
he KILLED 5 HOOKERS at SMU. Or he assisted CRAIG JAMES in KILLING 5 HOOKERS at SMU.
October 24th, 2011 at 1:42 PM ^
All the ladies just give it up for free when the Mad Hatter walks into the room.
October 24th, 2011 at 1:32 PM ^
I wish we could re-write the last three seasons of Michigan football.
But we are where we are, and I am perfectly happy with our coach. We have the right man for the job!
October 24th, 2011 at 1:35 PM ^
Make Harbaugh offensive coordinator in 06 with the idea that he succeeds Carr.
Though, of course, I'm happy with Hoke so far.
October 24th, 2011 at 1:52 PM ^
Given what we know about Carr, I'm pretty sure that his response to the hiring of a coach-in-waiting wouldn't have been much more graceful than how Bill Stewart took it. Especially if you brought in a strong personality like Harbaugh.
Carr's hiring of Loeffler over Harbaugh for QB coach in '02 said a lot about his mindset. He wants to be surrounded by "his guys" and feels threatened by those outside his clique.
October 24th, 2011 at 1:46 PM ^
I like Miles and will be rooting like hell for his team to beat Alabama.
Until I get anything even approaching concrete about why Carr and his cronies hate LM so much, I just have to assume it's that faction again being the butthurt crybabies they have shown themselves to be.
October 24th, 2011 at 1:47 PM ^
Lloyed Carr proved himself a fake Michigan Man when he put his own interests ahead of the program by hiring an outsider over Miles, the rightful successor of the program.
October 24th, 2011 at 2:38 PM ^
That's a bit over the top, don't you think?
October 24th, 2011 at 1:47 PM ^
Michigan's most electric offense-only player since Bo recruited Anthony Carter from the same South Florida region, who is most able to lead a bruised program forward.
Schembechler was right: A Michigan Man did show up. But it turned out to be Robinson, a mature-beyond-his-years Rodriguez recruit who probably would never have had a chance in Schembechler's spread-averse system."
Brandon told Angelique that he wasn't going to read the book, which is myopic and unprofessional.
October 24th, 2011 at 2:49 PM ^
October 24th, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^
Here is the first:
Schedule:
Today: Bill Martin's coaching search
Tuesday: Rich Rodriguez takes over
Wednesday: The NCAA investigation
Thursday: A watershed moment against Illinois
Friday: Finally a bowl, but no fight left
October 24th, 2011 at 2:42 PM ^
For as many people around here despise everything David Brandon, that article makes me incredibly thankful he holds the reins right now.
October 24th, 2011 at 6:30 PM ^
As much as he's made out to be a typical "evil" CEO hell bent on commericializing everything in sight, the leadership he's shown throughout his very young tenure has been fairly impressive.
October 24th, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^
Madonna wrote the song "Material Girl" after Miles handed her a charm bracelet he found in the garbage to apologize for giving her herpes.
Miles has never heard the song. He only listens to GWAR (he actually understands all of their lyrics and on-stage antics).
October 24th, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^
I had no idea how much. Naivete AND ineptitude are a killer combo.
October 24th, 2011 at 1:57 PM ^
"Brandon told Angelique that he wasn't going to read the book, which is myopic and unprofessional." No, it's a savy response.