CC: ESPN's Haney thinks Miles should be UM's next coach.

Submitted by wahooverine on

Nothing new but Haney suggests Harbaugh and Miles are the best candidates (duh) but Miles is the more practical, and logical option.

"And when the time comes, LSU coach Les Miles -- not Jim Harbaugh, or anyone else -- should be the first and only call. For one, Miles is established enough that he wouldn’t feel unsettled if an AD were named after his hiring. He wouldn’t feel pressure from that office the way others might.

Miles is being dismissed in some circles because of his age. But he’s 61, not 71. And he’s a young 61, at that.

If a "brand" such as Michigan got 10 or so years from Miles, wouldn't that be more than sufficient given the recent run of turnover and turmoil? The "30-year college coach" isn't a thing anymore, right? We can agree on that. Take what you can get, and a decade is gold.

After the rumblings in 2007 and then again in 2011, this could finally be the right time for Miles to return to Michigan, where he got his start as a GA in 1980. Someone close to Miles told me last fall that he could see him heading back to UM, for his "last job." Coaches are buying it, too.

"I would think Les would try to get Michigan this time," a Power 5 head coach suggested this week by text."

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/travis-haney/post?id=3654
$$ Insider

MGoBoard
Football

Mr Miggle

October 3rd, 2014 at 12:53 PM ^

The only top level coaches with possible serious interest in Michigan are those from the school. It's not a question of looking at Harbaugh or Miles and ignoring similar candidates because they lack a connection to Michigan. It's a question of getting one of those or looking at a lower level of candidate. No one seriously talked about in the next tier of candidates is a Michigan man, so you're wrong in thinking of that as a big deal to this board.

Joined: 10/07/2010

MGoPoints: 47773

turd ferguson

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^

That's fair, but to be clear, there's no way that Miles would be interested if there were no connection to Michigan.  He's been head coach of one of the five most successful college football programs of the last decade.  Those guys typically aren't too easy to pull away from their current jobs, and his affinity for Michigan is what makes him a realistic candidate.

I've come around a bit on Miles.  I agree with the writer that age isn't as big of a deal as people are suggesting.  He's 60 right now.  Hoke is 55, Dantonio is 58, Saban is 62, etc.  As long as Miles wouldn't need 5 years to rebuild - and I don't think he would - he should have 5-10 years to get the ship moving in the right direction, which would be more than enough for me.  Anyway, I'm not sure this is the right time for rolling the dice with an unproven 40-year-old in hopes that turns out to be a star who's here for 25 years.  Michigan really can't afford another failed hire right now.

Whoever makes this hire needs to look hard at how well behaved Miles has been at LSU (with recruiting and everything else) and then really try to assess how well behaved he'd be at Michigan.  Also, to protect all of our sanity, he really needs to let someone help him with his late game clock management, because he might be the worst I've ever seen in that area from a high-profile coach.

Joined: 12/09/2009

MGoPoints: 26493

TheLastHarbaugh

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:37 AM ^

I have nothing against Miles. The no thanks was in reference to simply hiring a guy "CURZ HE BE A MICHIMAN AND A MICHIMAN WILL CORCH AT MICHIGAN! " 

If we conduct a thorough search and determine Les Miles is the best out of all the available candidates, then by all means, hire him.

I find it odd so many of the people saying we need to move away from "Is he a Michigan Man?" being a prerequisite for coach when asked who we should hire immediately shout "HARBAUGH!" or "MILES!" without even the slightest hint of self awareness.

Let's, you know, conduct an actual coaching search for once instead of shitting all over ourselves and bumblefucking our way into a coach like the last two times we've done this.

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 10720

Red is Blue

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:38 AM ^

 Just going with a 60 (soon to be 61) year old Les Miles "CUZ MICHIGAN"

I don't see the Miles option as a "CUZ MICHIGAN" option from the school's perspective. He has won a NC, has keep his team near the top of the most competitive division/conference in college football. From Miles' perspective, a strong reason for him even to consider us is "CUZ MICHIGAN" ties.

Joined: 05/13/2010

MGoPoints: 23938

MGlobules

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:14 AM ^

before, can it now? With a complete housecleaning, maybe. . . but someone remind me what real coaching genius Les brings to the table. Don't many people find his decision-making erratic? I don't think just having the appropriate figurehead is enough. 

Joined: 11/17/2008

MGoPoints: 48086

dothepose

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:11 AM ^

At this point I don't care, but I have a bad feeling he won't be able to do much. He gets some of the best talent mainly cause of where he is. He can't develop QB's, but he does win, that's all that matters I guess.

Joined: 12/30/2008

MGoPoints: 7480

UMfan21

October 3rd, 2014 at 2:28 PM ^

We would get more than 3 years out of him.  But beyond that, at WORST he becomes our Football Tommy Amaker.  Cleans up the mess of his predecessors, gets us on cusp of where we want to be in the post season and makes us a much more attractive destination for whomever comes after him.

Of course, I think Les has more upside than Tommy, and he should be able to get us contending for conference titles and playoff spots.  But that's a worst case scenario.   I would settle for being a respectable program again and "go fish" for an elite coach again in 5 years.

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 51262

Voltron is Handsome

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:15 AM ^

I'm fine with Les Miles. Clearly I want Jim more than anyone and John would be a good choice, too, but I don't think either of them are coming to Ann Arbor. We could get about seven or eight good years out of Les.

Joined: 05/12/2014

MGoPoints: 3908

Tater

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:18 AM ^

Imagine the fecal strom that will brew in the conservative part of the fanbase when Miles makes a "Mad Hatter" decision and loses a game over it.  Les Miles wasn't a "great coach" until he got to LSU and had some of the best talent in the country at his disposal.  He was 28-21 in four seasons at OK State.  

If he somehow managed to be THE SAVIOR in Ann Arbor, he still wouldn't be around more than eight years from his first season, when he would be 70.  Then again, Jim Harbaugh might not be patient enough to stay anyplace for eight years, either.  

What a fucking mess.  They should have hired Gus Malzahn when they had a chance, but David Brandon was too busy trying to put "his" stamp on the team.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

Red is Blue

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:55 AM ^

Hard to look at his record at OK State in the abstract.  His 28-21 in four seasons includes a 4-7 mark the first year.  I have no idea what talent he inherited, but the first year a new coach is pretty much saddled with what he inherits.  He was 24-14 after.  Also,the four years prior to Miles, Okie St, was 21-24 (13-20 the 3 years prior.  Four years prior was an 8-4 year that appears to be an anomaly, but was included lest an accusation of cherry picking the time line and to be consistent with Miles’ tenure) .  Further who cares if he has “only” got eight years?  That seems plenty of time to right the ship and get the program where it belongs.  If he is ready to go after 8 years, you've got time to make an orderly transition.

Joined: 05/13/2010

MGoPoints: 23938

maize-blue

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:20 AM ^

The third times the charm. I think Miles could be a possibility. As far as the age thing, I think if he can put in 4-5 seasons, finish his career here and turn the program around, I’d be happy with that. He may be the only proven, bigger name college coaches that could be a reality. Other than a name like Miles, if you wanted a bigger name you’d be rooting for wish list guys (**see Harbaughs).  UM just needs to pull all heads out of all asses and get out of their own way, I hope they can do this.

Joined: 01/10/2013

MGoPoints: 44661

ADSellers

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:20 AM ^

Would prefer to not have a senior citizen as out next coach. Miles has been eligible to receive social security benefits for at least 2 years now. 

Joined: 08/26/2013

MGoPoints: 982

Red is Blue

October 3rd, 2014 at 12:07 PM ^

Isn't his age a potential benefit in this case?  It might be harder to get a younger gun who has a long career in front of him to come and take over this tire fire because it might tank the rest of his career should things not go well.

Joined: 05/13/2010

MGoPoints: 23938

UofM Die Hard …

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:23 AM ^

in the past, and what I read today...it sounds like Miles wants to come to Michigan.  I like Miles, ya he makes some questionable calls sometimes but he makes the play exciting..and he can recruit like a boss.

 

Hail!  Just beat Rutgets and get to .500

 

Joined: 03/10/2011

MGoPoints: 18435

Stashamo

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:26 AM ^

I keep opening MGoBlog looking for announcement of a news conference saying DB is out. There will be months of talking heads with sources saying who our next coach is going to be or not be. Experts with a microphone, inside info and an opinion. Don't tease me and get my hopes up. Beat Rutgers and Go Blue!

Joined: 03/09/2013

MGoPoints: 644

DavidP814

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:30 AM ^

Say what you will about Miles and his questionable game management, but the guy develops his players.

I remember someone on this very blog compared the average stars of all 22 starters between UM and LSU the year LSU won the national championship in 2007.  UM had an average of 3.70, while LSU had about a 3.44 average star score for starters.

At this point, given the state of the program after the last 2, 3, really 7-8 years, I'll take a guy who will develop the significant talent in-house and gets his teams to play their best against their biggest rivals.  After that, yeah take a shot at a successful FCS coach and see if he can be what Tressel was to Ohio State.  But right now, given the major instability in the entire athletic department, I don't think this is a great environment for a talented but unproved coach to succeed.

Joined: 07/13/2012

MGoPoints: 5242

Big_H

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^

My first choice has always been Miles, I just not sure how realistic it is. I mean the man has a really good spot down there. SEC, recruiting hot bed, etc. I hope he comes home to Michigan and makes us elite once again.

 

If he does come, I think all he will need is a top notch Offensive Coordinator. It has always seemed that he has had a tough time putting up a lot of points, but in the end he wins.

Joined: 02/12/2012

MGoPoints: 2595

mjf34g

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:59 AM ^

One reason is it would be much easier to win the in Big10 vs the SEC.

But in reading all these threads re;coaching candidates I'd like to ask, WHO would this fanbase be happy with? WHO would they ALL be on board with? I've heard three dozen at least different names and alll I hear is what a BAD hire this guy or this guy would be. I hope the new AD has enough cahones to stand behind his hire and tell the wolves (the Carr faction, the Bo faction, the Bump Elliot faction and so on and so on, to go pound sand.

Joined: 10/22/2009

MGoPoints: 101

micheal honcho

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:40 AM ^

Les Miles would be the BEST answer for Michigan right now and here's why I feel that way.

1. We would have the BEST defense in the B1G every year. More times than not that will win the conference

2. Recruiting ties to the deep south. Les would have at least 3 freshman playing on our D next year because they would instantly be the fastest, meanest and most aggressive guys

3. Identity, this is good and bad but we would have an identity that we would sometimes have us scratching our collective heads, sometimes laughing out loud and alot of time smiling and saying "take that sparty".

4. The hiring of Les Miles would be a clear signal to those that submarined him in 2007, that they do not own the identity of Michigan. Whether it was Carr or his minions who I assume are the ones responsible for our current hire, there is nothing they would despise more than a Miles hire. Therefore I want it to happen. They need to be put in their place once and for all.

5. Press conferences would be EPIC!! As Dantonio with MSU, Bielema at Whisky. I like the idea of our coach maybe being percieved as an asshole, but he's OUR asshole and he's willing to do whatever it takes to BEAT YOUR ASSES!!

6. No coach we could hire(except maybe Harbaugh) respects the rivalries more.

 

Joined: 10/27/2010

MGoPoints: 2769

Perkis-Size Me

October 3rd, 2014 at 12:02 PM ^

It's a bit presumptuous to say that we'd have the best defense in the conference. Narduzzi holds that honor until someone pries it from his cold, heartless hands. It'd certainly be up there and no worse than 3rd, depending on how OSU's defense turns out, but I'll believe his defense can be better than MSU's when I see it.


Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 11/30/2011

MGoPoints: 106386

CAwolverine

October 3rd, 2014 at 11:51 AM ^

Not many other big time college coaches would be lining up to take over the tire fire that is AA. We have been irrelevant for years and if we stay the current course we will continue to be so. Make the change already. Miles would be able to salvage and reinvigorate the recruiting class as well as the program.

Joined: 01/18/2010

MGoPoints: 923