Word is Les Miles

[RSTuthill]

The same people who raised the money to get rid of Diaco. Also I doubt it was hard to raise the money to fire Diaco, I didn't realize Burton was a billionaire.

If true, neither did I. But that is almost what it takes to play at the FBS level today. Backers with VERY deep pockets.

 

[pnow15]

Miles is definitely coming to UConn and he has already recruited Odell Beckham's twin little brothers.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I wouldn't say never on Miles. Not like he is getting tons of offers so you never know. Kiffen for all the hype is going to coach one of the Florida Geographicals. Ohio has been coached by a guy who won a bunch of games at Nebraska. Schiano is D.C. at Michigan after being a head coach in the NFL.

I seriously doubt that he's the guy, but he's 64 years old. He's not the guy that a P5 trying to build an identity is looking for and he's too expensive for a small school like a Florida International. He certainly wasn't the guy for a place like Oregon. His options are pretty limited really. He needs a school that can't attract a hot young coach (like say a Fleck) but which can afford to pay him reasonably well. UConn is on a short list of schools like that.

 

[JSM1970]

If Burton and others are putting up large $$ then they probably want a brand name, so the Miles thing is plausible. Do they really want to buyout BD and then use some money to bring in an unknown FCS guy?

I think Miles could be fine for 3-5 years to get back moving and then have a transition plan to a competent HC.

But does Miles want to be part of a rebuilding job for possibly his last job? Also, does Miles buyout from LSU restrict him (i.e., he's work for free because they'd deduct any income against his buyout?)

If true, neither did I. But that is almost what it takes to play at the FBS level today. Backers with VERY deep pockets.

 

[huskymedic]

Also, does Miles buyout from LSU restrict him (i.e., he's work for free because they'd deduct any income against his buyout?)

Discussion on Miles LSU Buyout: Les Miles' buyout

 

[UCweCONN]

Discussion on Miles LSU Buyout: Les Miles' buyout

He'd be crazy to take another job with that buyout and at his age unless he absolutely can't live without coaching. Why work to get paid when you can make the same money for not working? Also, I had no idea he was 64. I assumed he was in his 50's. Having PP flashbacks now.

 

[JSM1970]

Thanks, I recall Gene Chizik having something like this when he left Auburn and he basically stated out of coaching. This would take Les to 70, he may just do it knowing he'd rather work than not.

Or could UConn manipulate something where they'd pay him $1/year and then at the end of his buyout agree to a 2 year consulting agreement for like $3M/year that would be placed in a trust?

Discussion on Miles LSU Buyout: Les Miles' buyout

 

[SubbaBub]

I'm glad you'll "take Miles". I'm not sure where you think UConn football is at, but Les Miles to UConn would be enormous (if he would even consider it). That hire makes recruits take notice and we'd have a coach that has a national championship ring.

Don't understand the shade on Moorehead either. He's the OC of Penn State, the BIG10 champs. He has head coaching experience by turning a 1 win FCS team in Fordham into a nationally ranked FCS program that beat Temple and Army. IF he would consider taking on the head coaching job at the laughingstock that currently is UConn football - we should be grateful.

UConn makes no sense for Morehead at this point in his career. He wouldn't be a slam dunk hire either, but I'd take him under consideration even if most here are on board for nostalgic reasons more than logical ones.

UConn doesn't make sense for Miles either as he'll get an SEC or B12 job next season. But, he would be a slam dunk hire for Uconn if he would take it for all the reasing you mentioned.

Right now UConn is a gateway job. A gate to a better P5 job or a gate out of head coaching. Guys who are available to us are either on their way up or on their way out.

A guy like Al Golden can get another job after underachieving at Miami. Bob Diaco can't, PP can't. If Bob succeeded he would be gone anyway, if PP succeeded he'd still be in his way out.

We are not getting someone in his prime or with other P5 options.

So if Miles is interested give it to him. If Morehead is interested consider him. But, I'd be stunned if Joe was right now.

 

[SubbaBub]

Edsall turns 59 before the Holy Cross game.... I guess this would make him our Bill Snyder?

I immediately thought of Snyder when Edsall's name was put up. I doubt that Randy could put do Bill's run at KSU, which is why I'd be reluctant to go down that road.

 

[UCFBalum1986]

Miles would be the best choice. It starts with recruiting and he is very good in that area. His offense was conservative but he won ALOT of games in the SEC , and a NC ring. His downfall over the past 7 years was not being able to score / win against the best team(s) in the SEC. we don't have that here in the AAC. And I would be thrilled to have 8-4, 9-3 or 10-2 seasons at UConn in 2-3 years.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Miles would be the best choice. It starts with recruiting and he is very good in that area. His offense was conservative but he won ALOT of games in the SEC , and a NC ring. His downfall over the past 7 years was not being able to score / win against the best team(s) in the SEC. we don't have that here in the AAC. And I would be thrilled to have 8-4, 9-3 or 10-2 seasons at UConn in 2-3 years.

I probably should let it go because I made this point already...but Miles was a great recruiter in a talent rich state in the #1 conference. We have no idea if he can recruit in a talent poor state in a G5 conference.

What we do know about Miles...

- 64 years old
- teams generally underachieved
- defense first...offense an after thought
- reluctant to make changes with coaches and offensive scheme
- questionable game management skills


Does that fit the profile of what UConn needs? I don't think so...I want fresh ideas and creative offense.

 

[RedStickHusky]

UConn makes no sense for Morehead at this point in his career. He wouldn't be a slam dunk hire either, but I'd take him under consideration even if most here are on board for nostalgic reasons more than logical ones.

UConn doesn't make sense for Miles either as he'll get an SEC or B12 job next season. But, he would be a slam dunk hire for Uconn if he would take it for all the reasing you mentioned.

Right now UConn is a gateway job. A gate to a better P5 job or a gate out of head coaching. Guys who are available to us are either on their way up or on their way out.

A guy like Al Golden can get another job after underachieving at Miami. Bob Diaco can't, PP can't. If Bob succeeded he would be gone anyway, if PP succeeded he'd still be in his way out.

We are not getting someone in his prime or with other P5 options.

So if Miles is interested give it to him. If Morehead is interested consider him. But, I'd be stunned if Joe was right now.

Man, that is a sobering assessment but it sounds about right. It seems that would make us more likely to roll the dice on a young guy trying to skip a grade or two (which is what BD was). This juxtaposed with the pressure of not being able to afford another bad hire. Tough spot for DB, hope he has an ace up his sleeve.

 

[SubbaBub]

The appeal of a guy like Miles other than the obvious resume is that he knows what good football players look like and can presumably teach them. Even in the SEC, recruits needs to improve dramatically or get pasted every week.

A guy that can scout and develop players at OL and QB should be #1 on any list of qualifications. OL first, QB second. Do that and we can succeed.

 

[UCFBalum1986]

I probably should let it go because I made this point already...but Miles was a great recruiter in a talent rich state in the #1 conference. We have no idea if he can recruit in a talent poor state in a G5 conference.

What we do know about Miles...

- 64 years old
- teams generally underachieved
- defense first...offense an after thought
- reluctant to make changes with coaches and offensive scheme
- questionable game management skills


Does that fit the profile of what UConn needs? I don't think so...I want fresh ideas and creative offense.

Yeah. Why would we want a coach with a 0.721 winning percentage in 16 years where his only losing record was his first year at OSU and his next worst record was 7-5. We should drop hm from consideration because of all the points you mentioned and overlook the primary metric of wins and losses. He is a winner. Proven. Period.

 

[HuskyHawk]

The appeal of a guy like Miles other than the obvious resume is that he knows what good football players look like and can presumably teach them. Even in the SEC, recruits needs to improve dramatically or get pasted every week.

A guy that can scout and develop players at OL and QB should be #1 on any list of qualifications. OL first, QB second. Do that and we can succeed.

The other appeal is instant credibility. Let's be honest, Moorhead is probably the 2nd biggest name on the list, and even he would generate a "who?" from most people. Les Miles tells recruits that UConn is about playing big time football. It isn't an afterthought. I really do think we need a dose of positive football publicity.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

I think Miles is great, but this fan base has had its fill of coaches trying to win games 14-10. Just not a fit for us. P had impressive resume when he came here. All time leader in wins in Big East history.

You need to score points in this conference. Every team puts up points in bunches.

Don Brown and Todd Orlando I could get behind, because they've coached solid defenses on teams with explosive offenses, so it isn't about ball control and field position with those guys.

Normally I'd agree, but this fan bases has not had its fill of coaches with national championship rings. You're right that hiring a defensive guy is in nearly all cases not the right move for UConn in a league of offense-minded coaches. That said, none of those guys have won a ring, won two SEC titles, finished in the top 10 five times, won 10 games seven times, and did all of that in the toughest conference in the country. Putting him in the same category of antiquated defense-first coaches as P, Diaco, and even Edsall is the wrong way to view it. If Miles is interested, he absolutely must be interviewed.

Edit: You can also take it to the bank that if Miles were hired, season ticket sales would skyrocket based on curiosity alone. Whether he built the program to be successful enough to maintain the interest from the new car smell would remain to be seen.

 

[CTFIRERETIRED]

Les Miles? LSU Les Miles? Am I missing something here? Is Miles that broke? Does he want to enter the train wreck that is UC football? Does he want the pain and frustrations? The idea of Les Miles is about as probable as Rex and Rob Ryan coming to UC as a package deal.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Yeah. Why would we want a coach with a 0.721 winning percentage in 16 years where his only losing record was his first year at OSU and his next worst record was 7-5. We should drop hm from consideration because of all the points you mentioned and overlook the primary metric of wins and losses. He is a winner. Proven. Period.

And yet he was fired...and hasn't been re-hired.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Normally I'd agree, but this fan bases has not had its fill of coaches with national championship rings. You're right that hiring a defensive guy is in nearly all cases not the right move for UConn in a league of offense-minded coaches. That said, none of those guys have won a ring, won two SEC titles, finished in the top 10 five times, won 10 games seven times, and did all of that in the toughest conference in the country. Putting him in the same category of antiquated defense-first coaches as P, Diaco, and even Edsall is the wrong way to view it. If Miles is interested, he absolutely must be interviewed.

Edit: You can also take it to the bank that if Miles were hired, season ticket sales would skyrocket based on curiosity alone. Whether he built the program to be successful enough to maintain the interest from the new car smell would remain to be seen.

He's the ideal coach in a league of offensive minded coaches. His teams routinely shut down Alabama and others, he just couldn't score enough on Bama. But there's no team in the AAC that can't be scored upon. I'd love to be the best defensive team in the American. All you'd need is a competent offense. Everything I've seen from his LSU teams suggests that he believes in winning the battle at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. I agree with that.

 

[SubbaBub]

And yet he was fired...and hasn't been re-hired.

He didn't get the Texas job is not the same as not getting re-hired.

He is being paid a lot not to coach and isn't going to take some bottom feeder job in the P5. He isn't coming here either, but it's fun to think about.

He will wait for a good job with a good situation and he will get it. Maybe Harbuagh goes back to the NFL. Maybe Meyer retires again. Maybe Saban does. That is the level of job Les Miles is stalking. The UT job is nuts, he may have even turned it down. He definitely turned down Houston, or at least wanted an easy exit for another job that UH wasn't going to abide.

My guess is that he takes over A&M, OU, Michigan or OkSt if those jobs come open in the next year or two. He will be looking for a loaded roster.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

He didn't get the Texas job is not the same as not getting re-hired.

He is being paid a lot not to coach and isn't going to take some bottom feeder job in the P5. He isn't coming here either, but it's fun to think about.

He will wait for a good job with a good situation and he will get it. Maybe Harbuagh goes back to the NFL. Maybe Meyer retires again. Maybe Saban does. That is the level of job Les Miles is stalking. The UT job is nuts, he may have even turned it down. He definitely turned down Houston, or at least wanted an easy exit for another job that UH wasn't going to abide.

My guess is that he takes over A&M, OU, Michigan or OkSt if those jobs come open in the next year or two. He will be looking for a loaded roster.

When I said he wasn't re-hired...I wasn't referring to any job specifically. He was available and jobs were filled and he is still available. My point was that despite his high winning percentage he was fired this year and not hired. Who knows why he didn't get hired...but it can be an indicator of perceived capability.

He can't wait that long for an opening....he isn't getting younger.

I will say that a Miles hire would get UConn good PR. And if he hired a good OC, it could work. I just would prefer someone more offensively creative.

 

[polycom]

He'd be crazy to take another job with that buyout and at his age unless he absolutely can't live without coaching. Why work to get paid when you can make the same money for not working? Also, I had no idea he was 64. I assumed he was in his 50's. Having PP flashbacks now.

I only know maybe two people who are relatively successful and their personality wouldn't let them just sit around, I'm sure someone as successful as Miles is similar.

 

[Pudge]

Well ...

With that money on the table, it is not like you - as UConn - can't go to SEC LSU and say: "Let us pay $800k ... and you can reduce your liability to Miles accordingly. " And obviously, given Diaco, that is attractive.

I do like the notion that we think like Burton, Shenkman, etc. Someone is there saying ... push Diaco, but I WANT Brand Y. I think Miles might be that thought and I agree with the analysis of what his options are. He can bring the force to New England with obvious Florida, Texas then New England, New Jersey, PA, MD recruiting and I like that he sees the Offensive side need. I do think he will have a guy looking for redemption in a pass happy spread league.

Then ... a deep pocket guy will want (if Moorhead, Orlando, Michigan coordinators aren't available) to not want another high Coordinator that we don't know. That brings in Wilder and Houston and successful HC at the lower level.

 

[JSM1970]

Agreed, but can he wait a year and get a better gig? Nothing is going to happen fast @ UConn, even with him or a Schiano, etc. And what if it doesn't improve much, then what.

I only know maybe two people who are relatively successful and their personality wouldn't let them just sit around, I'm sure someone as successful as Miles is similar.

 

[storrsroars]

24-17 beats 52-46 any day in my book.

You must be a Giants fan from way back.

I grew up with the old AFL. Loved Air Coryell and the Greatest Show on Turf. Narduzzi has me actually watching Pitt games. Some of them from inside Heinz Field. Their defense was mostly crap, but they provide major entertainment for your sporting dollar.

 

[FDNY99]

You must be a Giants fan from way back.

I grew up with the old AFL. Loved Air Coryell and the Greatest Show on Turf. Narduzzi has me actually watching Pitt games. Some of them from inside Heinz Field. Their defense was mostly crap, but they provide major entertainment for your sporting dollar.

Unfortunately the maestro for that high flying offense is now in Baton Rouge working for Coach O.

 

[HuskyHawk]

You must be a Giants fan from way back.

I grew up with the old AFL. Loved Air Coryell and the Greatest Show on Turf. Narduzzi has me actually watching Pitt games. Some of them from inside Heinz Field. Their defense was mostly crap, but they provide major entertainment for your sporting dollar.

Nope. Patriots, and then the Chiefs. I did like the Rams of the 70's. Defense wins championships. It was true in the BCS last year. True in the NFL. True when UConn beat Butler, and later Kentucky for titles.

 

[chiller99.5]

I would prefer a head coach who has cultivated talent rather than built a program based on recruiting talent.

 

[jazyj]

I would prefer a head coach who has cultivated talent rather than built a program based on recruiting talent.

You still have to get the players to play up to their talent and miles did that

 

[Northbound]

If a known quantity like Miles would come to Storrs you grab the guy immediately. If this is viewed as a gateway gig you get the most proven guy because it brings instant credibility and recognition to the table and by definition the gateway gig coach is going to leave for a better situation likely sooner rather than later if he has on-field success. So hiring a guy that has had success in the most competitive league in the land is a no-brainer.

If one of the reasons Diaco got canned was his inability to welcome Kill aboard in an OC capacity imagine what DB would say to the fans if he could that would criticize a Les Miles hire.

Questioning the potential of hiring Les Miles is akin to Fairfield fans complaining that Jim Calhoun was going to be their next hoop coach.