A really great in depth story by Wright Thompson from ESPN.Com on how Les Miles stays committed to being a strong presence in the day to day life of his four children despite the time constraints and pressures that come with being the head coach of a major college football program.
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Every time Les Miles leaves the island of his office, he finds himself surrounded by other people's families. They crowd around, extending hands and scraps of paper, fathers urging boys to summon the courage to speak to the famous coach. At his weekly radio show, to which he is currently driving, a man will thrust a baby into his arms. Miles winds around the swampy lakes of Baton Rouge, the headlights of his white Cadillac SUV throwing shadows off the moss-covered live oaks. Set back from the water, each house glows warm and yellow.
The people in those homes are finished with their days, but he's still at work, a few minutes before 7 p.m. His mind focuses on the upcoming game with Alabama, perhaps the most important of his career. In the middle of a bye week, everything remains a question. Will the team execute? Will he put the players in position to win? And, beneath the worries of his job, another: Should he spend Friday night recruiting? Or should he find a spot in the University High stands, cheering on freshman wide receiver Manny Miles, who caught his first varsity touchdown pass a week ago? Should he watch someone else's child -- or his own?
To continue reading: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=111103/LesMiles
Thursday, November 3, 2011
ESPN To Air Roll Tide/War Eagle Documentary
Great looking documentary scheduled to air on ESPN next Tuesday night:
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- While describing Tuesday night why he decided to produce a new ESPN documentary about the Alabama-Auburn rivalry, producer Martin Khodabakhshian reached a conclusion heard often in this state.
"I've got to tell you, you guys are nuts!" Khodabakshian told a packed crowd at the Alabama Theatre for the premiere of "Roll Tide/War Eagle."
At which point, as if on cue to enhance the stereotype of this state, someone in the audience shouted: "Welcome to Alabama!"
To continue reading: http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/11/espn_documentary_roll_tidewar.html
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- While describing Tuesday night why he decided to produce a new ESPN documentary about the Alabama-Auburn rivalry, producer Martin Khodabakhshian reached a conclusion heard often in this state.
"I've got to tell you, you guys are nuts!" Khodabakshian told a packed crowd at the Alabama Theatre for the premiere of "Roll Tide/War Eagle."
At which point, as if on cue to enhance the stereotype of this state, someone in the audience shouted: "Welcome to Alabama!"
To continue reading: http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/11/espn_documentary_roll_tidewar.html
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Saban vs Miles
Forget about comparing LSU and Alabama's offenses and defenses, take a look at how ESPN.Com ranks Nick Saban and Les Miles on such characteristics as nicknames, quotes, hair style and favorite snacks:
If we're going to break down the game, then let's look at the real coaching matchup between Bama's Nick Saban and LSU's Les Miles.
Best Nickname:
Saban: "The Most Powerful Coach in Sports" (as designated by Forbes magazine in 2008).
Miles: "The Mad Hatter."
Advantage -- Miles.
Best Quote:
Saban: "It's a process."
Miles: "I've got a championship game to play and I'm excited about the opportunity of my damn strong football team to play in it."
Advantage -- Miles.
For full list: http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7175862/the-bmoc-chews-coaches-expansion-more
If we're going to break down the game, then let's look at the real coaching matchup between Bama's Nick Saban and LSU's Les Miles.
Best Nickname:
Saban: "The Most Powerful Coach in Sports" (as designated by Forbes magazine in 2008).
Miles: "The Mad Hatter."
Advantage -- Miles.
Best Quote:
Saban: "It's a process."
Miles: "I've got a championship game to play and I'm excited about the opportunity of my damn strong football team to play in it."
Advantage -- Miles.
For full list: http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7175862/the-bmoc-chews-coaches-expansion-more
Busy South Alabama Freshman Running Back J.J. Keels Picks Up Punt And Kickoff Return Duties
MOBILE, Ala. -- South Alabama freshman running back J.J. Keels earned his first start at running back in last Saturday's 28-3 win over Henderson State. Before the game was over, Keels found himself in two more roles -- returning punts and kickoffs for the Jaguars.
The running back spot was earned with a solid week of practice leading up to the Henderson State game. Keels, a true freshman from Melbourne, Fla., became the third Jag to get a starting nod at the position, joining Kendall Houston and Demetre Baker.
To continue reading: http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/11/practice_is_paying_off_for_sou.html
The running back spot was earned with a solid week of practice leading up to the Henderson State game. Keels, a true freshman from Melbourne, Fla., became the third Jag to get a starting nod at the position, joining Kendall Houston and Demetre Baker.
To continue reading: http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/11/practice_is_paying_off_for_sou.html
MILES EXPRESSES ADMIRATION FOR SABAN
While Miles didn't talk about replacing Saban, he did say he respects his ability as a coach and looks forward to the challenge Saturday.
"I have to be very honest with you. I have great respect for a very strong and capable coach at Alabama in Nick Saban," Miles said. "You watch how he prepares his team and how you play, and if you don't admire how that happens, you don't care much about football.
"It is a wonderful opportunity to have the chance to compete against the best."
For full article: http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2011/11/lsu_tigers_coach_les_miles_has.html
"I have to be very honest with you. I have great respect for a very strong and capable coach at Alabama in Nick Saban," Miles said. "You watch how he prepares his team and how you play, and if you don't admire how that happens, you don't care much about football.
"It is a wonderful opportunity to have the chance to compete against the best."
For full article: http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2011/11/lsu_tigers_coach_les_miles_has.html
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