re: Are Miles supporters the type that believe in participation trophies?

No. Its people who have a realistic view of things. As a LSU fan, I would love to be playing for an SEC title and getting into the playoffs every single year, but to expect your head coach to produce that year after year is unrealistic. Yes, we know Saban does it, but if anyone is expecting LSU to hire a head coach who will come in and build a program that will exceed Bama, then you might want to change your mindset to "hope for the best, expect the worst".

I am I saying its not possible? Not at all, you really never know, however; there is a pretty good chance that a new head coach will not produce as well as Les Miles does. Everyone has all the answers until reality sets in. Fans of programs like Texas, Miami, USC, Nebraska, Tennessee, etc expect to have national championship contending teams year after year as well.