Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Mickelson a marvel at Pebble Beach, while Tiger tumbles

SEC coaching dominoes could start falling

With Miles going to Michigan, LSU can lure Tuberville from Auburn

Les MilesGetty Images
Ray Giler says LSU fans shouldn't worry about the rumored departure of coach Les Miles. The program will be just fine if he bolts to Michigan.

The 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.

And now that Petrino has the Falcons in full mutiny, it may be time for him to make a quick exit to the SEC. There are issues with his bedside manner, his strength and conditioning program, his play-calling, his entire act. Petrino is just another college coach to bomb in the NFL, and he could walk away.

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.

Ray Glier writes regularly for msnbc.com and is a freelance writer.


< Prev | 1 | 2

advertisement
More news
Image: Boston College v Miami
Getty Images
'I'm taking that program down'

Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.

Image: LSU quarterback Jefferson is stripped of the ball by Alabama's Hightower during the second half of the NCAA BCS National Championship college football game in New Orleans
Reuters
CFT: Jefferson says 'Alabama was more prepared'

CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.

Video: Football from NBC Sports
Memphis fulfills BCS dream
Tigers officials thrilled to announce that school has been accepted to join the Big East Conference in 2013.

Slideshow
Image: Joe Paterno
  Joe Paterno (1926-2012)
A look at the career of legendary Penn State coach Joe Paterno

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Image:
  BCS title game
Check out photos of Crimson Tide's victory over Tigers.

more photos

Slideshow
Image: Kansas State running back Pease is tackled by Arkansas defensive tackle Jones during the Cotton Bowl Classic football game in Arlington, Texas
  Bowled over
Check out the action from the postseason games.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Kansas vs Oklahoma State
  All-American team
Check out which players were best of the best at each position.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Image: Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio - Wisconsin v Oregon
  College cheer
Check out some of the college football cheerleaders from across the country.

NBCSports.com