Dantonio Being Mentioned as Possible Les Miles Replacement

Submitted by BursleyHall82 on

LSU is about to go through its own version of "It's Happening," and I've been spending the day looking at all the speculation on who will replace Les Miles. Houston's Tom Herman is at the top of the list, of course, just as he will be for Texas, Auburn and USC. Bobby Petrino is also getting a lot of run.

What I find interesting, though, is that multiple LSU reporters and national guys are speculating that Mike D'Antoni could be in the mix. Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports had my favorite explanation as to why Dantonio might be the guy - to get away from Harbaugh.

This columnist from the Baton Rouge newspaper also lists Dantonio among the 10 candidates for the job.

ElBictors

September 26th, 2016 at 10:48 AM ^

I heard Urbs profess with conviction over the radio that he and his family would never leave Utah, the most "beautiful state in the country" and cited all the friends and schools and how his family loved it.

A week later he was in Gainesville.

I doubt Dantonio's kid would be the key during the type of contract negotiations that LSU is about to have with its candidates.

OwenGoBlue

September 26th, 2016 at 1:41 AM ^

Yeah I just think of "overachieved" as being based on development/scheme, not recruiting terribly well.

As noted Louisiana has a ton of talent, but that doesn't guarantee you'll keep the best players (or hit Texas, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, etc. as Les/Saban have). I think he'd get better players than he does now, but getting #10-15ish classes at LSU would be a big drop-off from the last decade or so.

Mr Miggle

September 26th, 2016 at 10:11 AM ^

why wouldn't he do well? It's a top program with a great local recruiting base. Dantonio is very well regarded. I have no doubt he'd start out very well, kind of a new coach bounce.

Whether he could sustain the level Miles had, I don't know. He might not need to as he seems to be very good at talent evaluation. His classes might take a step down from Miles' in ranking, but might turn out to be better.

saveferris

September 26th, 2016 at 8:34 AM ^

I think you're right, but at the same time I wonder if he's getting frustrated knowing he can't recruit the talent he needs to win the whole thing at MSU

Is there any evidence that he's frustrated with the state of his program? I don't think there is. He's got two Big Ten titles under his belt, a Rose Bowl victory, a college football playoff berth, and a stellar 8-2 record against their hated rival. He's taken MSU to heights not seen in 50 years.

Every time I see him speak, he's crowing about how MSU has risen to the level of being able to sell results, not hope, etc. He seems pretty comfortable to me.

Now if Harbaugh flips the script over the next few seasons, turns his sexy 8-2 record into 8-5 or 8-6 and starts bagging conference titles and even a National Championship; putting a big batch of tarnish on Dantonio's accomplishments, maybe that attitude changes. Of course, by then, Dantonio would be in his mid-60's rather than early 60's and it would be moot point as to whether he should seek greener pastures, because it's doubtful that avenue would be open at that point.

Bottom line, he's not leaving MSU.

mgowild

September 26th, 2016 at 9:30 AM ^

I think age has a lot to do with it... if he was 10 years younger, heading to LSU may be a more attractive option. I understand that LSU's program is in good shape, but he'd have to start over at a new school in a region he's not familiar with. Expectations would be high and by the time he gets his recruits in there, he's in his mid-60s.



Dantonio will finish his career as a Spartan, and hopefully with a nice losing streak to Harbaugh.

Wolfman

September 26th, 2016 at 3:24 AM ^

He came in and began to ignore every ncaa infraction placed in front of him. There is so much documentation on him it's unbelievable. CarGate was just the wind that toppled the house. It had been cracking from Day One. He actually brought YSU football to Columbus and did a masterful job, obviously.