Rank All-Time LSU Coaches

Smoke Lavall
Press Maravich
Curley Hallman

Skip Bertman
Les Miles
Nick Saban

lets throw out the obvious 3 just for fun...

Dale Brown
Pat Henry
Pokey Chatman

Skip
Les
Dale Brown

Based on what criteria? Who's the best coach?

If so:

(1) Saban;
(2) Miles;
(3) Bertman

I refuse to give Dale Brown any credit, given that he drove the program to debilitating probation. I won't place Skip atop the list because he coached a marginal, secondary sport that most opposing schools didn't allocate significant resources to during his tenure. Similar arguments apply to Henry and Chatman. They coached niche sports. That leaves Miles and Saban. Both had two SECC's and one NC while at LSU, though Saban did it in a shorter period. Moreover, Saban is pretty clearly the better coach overall when you look at total career achievements (3 NCs to Miles' 1 NC, 3 SECC's to Miles' 2, 2 undefeated regular seasons to Miles' 1, 1 overall undefeated season to Miles' 0). Hence, if you are talking about the most talented, gifted coach to ever don LSU colors, Saban tops the list.

Henry
Bertman
Saban/Miles (tie)

Miles
Cholie Mac
Dale Brown

Agreed. I like Miles much more than Saban and I think he is a better person than Saban. However, from a purely coaching perspective with success, methodology and tactical game planning considered Saban is a better coach. Hate to admit it but it is true in my book.

He took over a program that was shite. Ordered the facilities in place now and rebuilt the entire program to the powerhouse it should be. In my book, that automatically ranks him ahead of Miles. He wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Saban. That simple. No matter how much of a arse he is...we are what we are today largely because of Saban. Miles has done a good job maintaining it. I've seen a lot worse where people take over powerhouse programs and destroy them.

quote:

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Mainieri over Pokey...easily

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5 years. and 3 mediocre or shite seasons. Not yet.