CC: Reading into Les Miles' comments about UM last night on ESPN
I can't find a video clip on ESPN's web site, probably because it was a very short interview clip, but Les Miles was "live" on SportsCenter last night. This may have gotten mentioned in one of the threads but I thought it was worthy of an OP.
It was odd that he was even on since LSU is only going to the Music City Bowl, but they got his take on bowl preparation and his thoughts on the playoff selection committee. Then, he was asked about Michigan and the interviewer didn't really pry much — just let him fire off a canned response and let him go.
Again, wish I had video and maybe someone else on the board can fill in the blanks, but it went something like...
"I think they're doing a great job and I like the process they have going right now. It's a wonderful place, and they deserve a great coach." The "Wonderful place" term was used in his press conference in 2007 that also featured "this damn fine football team" and "have a great day."
So reading into that, "I like their process" could mean a number of things.
- He's been privvy to the way it's been going, or he's at least been paying attention.
- He likes who they're going after.
- He likes the reported offer amount, knowing that he may be next in line(?)
The whole thing seemed like his handlers asked ESPN if he could go on the air and they obliged, and he laid out some statements that set him up to seem still interested and a logical second choice, without coming anywhere near saying as much. We've seen Miles make warm-hearted comments about Michigan before, but it was a bit surreal hearing them right now, in the eye of the hurricane of this coaching search with so much secretive speculation blowing about him as well.
THEN AGAIN, taking the maize colored glasses off this could just be an affirmation of what he told reporters off the record the other day, and he's just wanting to make sure public perception is that he's staying put. However I did not hear "I am not interested" in that segment.
Anyone else catch that last night? Again, hoping to find video...
December 19th, 2014 at 9:46 AM ^
Miles and Harbaugh have solidified themselves in the mid-to-high Top 10 of college coaches. While Harbaugh is (for) now in the pros, his Stanford turnaround would still qualify his as one of the ten best coaching performances since 2007, and of course Miles with his two NCG appearances, one MNC and multiple BCS bowls also qualifies.
They're Bo protegés and UM alumni (I won't use Michigan Men but there I just did), and we swung and missed on them during this era.
I think Hackett understands this and will stop at nothing to reel one of them in this time. If he can't, he'll make a run at Stoops or Mullen — the only two next-best-things — but if that doesn't work out he'll put his money back in his wallet and go for an up and coming coordinator, which makes the Herman-to-Houston thing unnerving.
December 20th, 2014 at 2:14 PM ^
Well said!
December 19th, 2014 at 9:50 AM ^
Quite a few college football coaches have had great successes - we are not getting Saban, Urban Meyer, or even Dantonio, this time, but we can have a 10 name list from college ranks that would be a great hire for Michigan this time. I think the list ought to include Les Miles and Bob Stoops.
Jim Harbaugh is the hot IT stock, pricy and may have great return, and with that, I actually see higher risk. Les Miles and Bob Stoops are the blue chips, not great upside but the hire will generate steady dividends for the program through the years.
December 19th, 2014 at 9:57 AM ^
Yeah, Stoops and Miles have pretty shitty upside when you get right down to it.
(Really?)
December 19th, 2014 at 10:02 AM ^
December 19th, 2014 at 10:03 AM ^
December 19th, 2014 at 11:11 AM ^
The only thing I can find on Google is a pre-2005 incident ... if in fact you were referring to Harbaugh.
December 20th, 2014 at 1:35 PM ^
December 19th, 2014 at 12:20 PM ^
comes off as an angry psychopath. He is very passionate and competitive, was highly regarded at Stanford (an institution with high values) and in San Francisco, where no one really knows what the foundation is for the rumors about 'not getting along' with others. Talk of bumping heads with the administration does not make one a psychopath. Giving an opposing coach a little push back does not make one an angry psychopath. A DUI so old is not really supporting your platform, and I would not call the Niner's season 'disasterous', although they have been eliminated. The 'red flags' argument has always been supported by relatively scant evidence, imo.
December 20th, 2014 at 1:45 PM ^
December 19th, 2014 at 10:04 AM ^
Count me in. Les Miles isn't saying anything, which says everything. He's ready to come, and I'm ready to welcome him.
December 19th, 2014 at 10:04 AM ^
I think he knows his chance is slim so he isn't going to crap on the school in the process. I'm not sure if he knows much more than that, though.
December 19th, 2014 at 10:07 AM ^
A Les Miles thread without Epic Sax? Tsk tsk.
December 19th, 2014 at 10:11 AM ^
The "Harbaugh could go to the NFL" argument is so stale to me. Any coach at any point could bolt for another college job or move to the NFL. Les Miles could retire in three or four years. Tom Herman could bolt for Ohio State or Texas in a few years.
I do think Brady Hoke would have stayed at Michigan for the remainder of his career (another 15 years, maybe), but he's the exception, not the rule.
December 19th, 2014 at 10:46 AM ^
That's why age shouldn't be an issue with someone like Miles. There's no guarantee a younger coach will stay more than 3-4 years so that's your horizon regardless.
December 19th, 2014 at 10:18 AM ^
I got a buddy who talks to Les on the phone. With everything he told me about Harbaugh, I would pretty much bet money Miles is the next Michigan coach.
December 19th, 2014 at 10:37 AM ^
do tell!!!
December 19th, 2014 at 11:22 AM ^
Sure I'll talk a little. My buddy growing up his dad is a former Mich qb. First thing he told me is don't trust the media, they have no idea what is going on. How many things have Sam Webb/NFL insiders been wrong on? Unless Harbaugh says no soon, don't expect a new coach till early January. He wants to see his NFL offers and we just have to wait. Last, he talked to Miles on the phone the other day, and he will negotiate if Michigan wants him.
December 19th, 2014 at 11:54 AM ^
I'm choosing to believe you.
Personally I'm not fond of waiting that long, especially if we really did put $8 million per year on the table. I guess I think that the offer is good enough that he should be able to give an answer now (or at least soon).
If he's willing to turn down that much $ for an NFL job, then I think he probably doesn't want to coach here at all. Or will leave for the NFL after a few years.
I hope you're right about Miles being interested. Did he get any sense that Michigan was interested in Les? And thanks for the info.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:44 PM ^
I honestly think Miles is plan b. My buddy said something like every year in the NFL a job comes open that nobody saw coming. Everybody who has an opening is obviously going to have Harbaugh #1 on their list. He just seemed kinda scared some NFL team is going to throw everything at him.
December 19th, 2014 at 3:46 PM ^
and thanks again for the info/perspective.
December 19th, 2014 at 10:45 AM ^
Unlike last time, he's being smart and not getting cornered into a "I will be the LSU coach next season" comment. I read this as his keeping the door open to coming here, and I think he's about the best Plan B a school can expect.
December 19th, 2014 at 10:57 AM ^
Obviously, I want JH. Period. I would not, however be upset with Miles.
Honestly, I just want this entire coaching change to be over so we can know who the new coach is and move forward--forward with the program, winning, player development, recruting, etc.
This whole CC thing was exciting like two weeks ago, now it s becoming extremely old.
December 19th, 2014 at 11:12 AM ^
But I'll miss it when it's gone.
December 19th, 2014 at 1:10 PM ^
December 19th, 2014 at 3:18 PM ^
December 19th, 2014 at 3:26 PM ^
December 20th, 2014 at 2:44 PM ^
I still want Jimmy to coach the maize and blue next season, but.....................it seems likehe is torn/conflicted with the decision to stay in theNFL or return home to Ann Arbor. When all is said and done, I think Harbaugh will stay in the NFL. I may be very much mistaken, but I believe thart his desire to succeed in the NFL(ie Super Bowl Victory), supercedes his desire to return Michigan Football, back to glory/natl. prominence.
That said, Les Miles is 61 yrs old/young (depends on your perspective). He doesn't seem to want to go to the NFL, now or ever. Miles doesm't seem to be conflicted when it comes to making a decision to coach at Michigan. In some respects, he may be the better choice than Harbaugh. I still want Jim First, Les second. However, if Miles becomes the next coach at Michigan, I have no doubt that he will be totally focused at winning and running a successful program in A2.
GO BLUE............................