Getty ImagesThe dominos will start to fall as long and Miles can go to Michigan. Of course, the ghost of Bo Schembechler could haunt him and hold up that domino.
In Jan. 2006, Jai Eugene, a gifted defensive back from St. Rose, La., committed to Michigan on national television. A week later, Miles the Michigan Man turned Eugene back to LSU prompting a temper tantrum from Schembechler. The legendary coach, who died in 2006, called Miles from the UM football office and blasted his former assistant coach for not honoring Eugene’s commitment to Michigan. He told Miles it was not the way a Michigan Man would behave and then he hung up on Miles.
When Jim Harbaugh’s people start burning the phone lines to lobby him for the job, or Carr tries to rally support for defensive coordinator Ron English, they could all say, “You know, Bo, didn’t like Miles.”
Certainly, Michigan could beat Ohio State and Carr could re-commit past 2007. But if Carr retires and Miles plays for a national championship, it won’t matter what Bo thinks. Miles walks out of LSU; Coach Tub walks in.
That leaves the Auburn job open and here comes ... Petrino. Better late than never.
He was whisked onto The Plains in an airplane in 2003, right under Tuberville’s nose, and then decided to stay at Louisville. Tuberville responded with a 13-0 season and he got a raise. Maybe Coach Tub’s tidy salary of $2.1 million has made him forget that episode, but I don’t think so.
We’ll know in January. If General Manager Rich McKay keeps control of player personnel decisions, Petrino is gone. If Petrino gets a bump in status in the organization and gets authority over McKay, then he is staying and assuming the responsibility to fix the mess created by Arthur Blank, McKay, and Michael Vick, and Auburn will have to find another coach.
LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini might get a look, or Cincinnati’s Brian Kelly.
No matter what happens, LSU fans should feel secure. The path created by Saban, and widened by Miles, will be paved with victory after victory. If Tommy comes marching in the program will get even better.
Brian Johnson, who led Utah to an upset of Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl, is ready for his first season as the Utes' offensive coordinator. At 25, the ex-QB will be the youngest with that job at the FBS level.
CollegeFootballTalk headlines |
Video: Football from NBC Sports |
SEC, Big 12 team up for bowl The SEC and Big 12 get together for a new and major bowl which could greatly enhance the bottom lines of both conferences. |
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |
Slideshow |
more photos |
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |