quote:
I think you're missing the point that Alleva made Chavis and Les's decision for them that Chavis was leaving. It's widely known that Chavis wanted the Miles clause thrown out and Joe refused, going so far as to not even meet with Chavis about it which he thought showed a huge lack of respect. Whether you jumped on the 3rd and Chavis bandwagon or not as an LSU fan you have to admit that's not the way to treat a guy who has done a pretty damn good job calling your defense for 8 years.

You can argue that Chavis leaving was the catalyst for these good hires and it worked out great for LSU in the end, and I would agree, but that's a different issue from how supportive Alleva was of Miles before Nov. I think it's painfully obvious that Steele type hires would have become the norm if Alleva and whoever was instructing him had not pushed all their chips in and lost. In fact I think making phone calls for potential replacements to Miles was a sobering experience for them, and they realized it was no easy or cheap task to do better than Miles. I will give them credit for quickly getting behind the guy afterwards, I'll be the first to admit I thought having an AD that could get things like this done would take getting rid of Alleva to repair the damage done.

Alleva gave Miles a totally unneeded and unearned extension after his bluff with Arky. Les should be eternally grateful to him. I doubt that the boosters who pay into the system were too anxious to give Alleva carte blanche anymore. I'm for LSU first and foremost and agree totally with the clause since being tied to an HC till 2018 that you can only release with a huge buyout should not be hooked to having to pay a king's ransom to jettison his staff.

Chavis got the treatment he deserved. He coached for 5 full years and one part time as he job hunted. He wasn't blindsided, he blindsided Miles and his own players.

The reason that Les was hamstrung is that he hadn't performed well enough to be given whatever he wanted. What's fair for LSU? Would having Aranda have helped that pathetic offense against Alabama and Arky? Cam is still on board and since the great recruiting class everyone has forgotten that elephant in the room.

Les Miles needs to win something aside from what has become his norm or these February to September victories are not going to be enough. The administration is giving him all the rope he needs to either pull the program to the top of the mountain again or hang himself. I would think they're hoping he pulls it up.

With that kind of support he needs to get better results when it really counts. Being just good enough to hang around probably won't be anymore.