Jan. 3, 2005

By Brian Curtis

Senior Editor, CSTV

I know that Les Miles is not a sexy name for LSU.  And I know that his team did not look great against Ohio State in the Alamo Bowl.  But I also know that he was the best candidate who was available and willing.

He's beaten Oklahoma twice, he's gone to three straight bowl games, he's coached in the NFL and at Michigan and Colorado, and he has a degree in economics from Michigan.  He's a great recruiter and has a solid staff.  Yes, the expectations in Baton Rouge are high, but keep in mind that not too many people were thrilled when Nick Saban was hired, as he wasn't a sexy name either -- and look what he did.

There were a lot of major college job openings in the last few months -- Notre Dame, Florida, LSU, Stanford, Washington, South Carolina -- among others, and simply not that many elite coaches have been available.  Demand outweighs supply.  Miles will win at LSU if he can keep the state players home like Saban did.  Give him time.

Brian Curtis serves as an analyst and insider in all of CSTV's football programming and is CSTV's Senior Editor. To ask Brian a question or comment on his column, e-mail him at bcurtis@cstv.com. Read Brian's latest insiders' book, Every Week A Season, on sale now at all major bookstores and online.