The reality of where we are as a program...

Some of this has been brought to light some of this has not... Nevertheless, we have much to look forward to with a new philosophy and hire. My rant...

I love how appalled the media is with how out of hand the Les Miles rumors have gotten, LSU's treatment of Miles, etc - when it's 100% them that have been driving the insanity. They have been making fun of this guy and his ridiculous antics for 11 years and suddenly the guy is a legend and one of the best coaches available.

He's 13-11 in the SEC the last 3 years - he's not taking the program in the right direction and it's wise to get out now while we are still in the conversations with the top in state talent. A couple more seasons like this and the program is in rebuilding mode. Not too many Saban's to come along and resurrect the program again. A good coaching hire now will be able to come in and immediately get higher production from this roster and program.

Miles has done a great job of retaining at least the passion of LSU, the statewide mystic that captures the pride of signing in state. That I'm grateful for - but when you have the most NFL players in the league, top 5 recruiting classes every year, and only 1 NC with Saban's players, something has to point to coaching and development. There are number of coaches that could do more with this team.

What I want in the next hire:

I want a coach who is willing to evolve, and show leadership in his ability to surround himself with coaches that are great in the areas where he is not. Passion is good but without preparation, discipline, and a clear direction it doesn't take much to lose momentum and the respect of your players.

I want to see development in talent and the players becoming leaders that believe in the system and process that is being instituted by the head coach and his staff.

There are coaches humble enough to look at another coach's success and at least ponder - what are they doing and how do I replicate and improve upon their approach? Saban would bring in Belichick every year to strategize and brain storm. He's hired people he does not like (Lane Kiffin) because he knows it gives them a competitive advantage to win and strengthen areas that maybe aren't his strengths.

I can't say Miles has ever been humble or wise enough to ever take that approach. He is the same guy that he was 20 years ago, refuses to evolve, hires only people he likes or has common grounds/experiences with, and has been arrogant enough to think he could win at LSU based on talent and passion alone. That's not leadership, it's someone who is disillusioned by what they've won, not driven by what they've lost. Someone who has a staff who knows nothing outside of what he knows, hired only from the coaching trees that he's familiar with or that share the same old school philosophies. He has no answers on how to right the ship because he only knows what he and his enabling staff knows and will never think to look outside of it because of his pride and ignorance.

LSU is making the right move at the right time. I appreciate what Miles has done but the future is brighter if we can get the right LEADER hired.