Miles has to-do list at LSU heading into 2016
It seemed inevitable just a few weeks ago that LSU was going to fire
coach Les Miles but that didn't happen after a groundswell of support
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following the Tigers' win over Texas A&M.
Although Miles might be safe for now, the LSU coach still is on the hot seat
entering next season. Here are five things Miles needs to do to keep coaching in
Baton Rouge.
1. WIN THE SEC WEST
File this in the "Easier Said Than Done" section. This is the most important task of all
-- winning the SEC West and, in turn, being the favorite to win the entire
conference because there are still so many question marks in the East.
Miles has won the SEC West three times during his tenure, but not since 2011 and
that has caught up to him. There is little doubt that if the Tigers can't find a
way to win the division next year (and maybe the entire conference) then they
could be looking for a new coach.
The offense should be better and the defense should be loaded, so maybe Miles has
no excuses.
2. BEAT NICK SABAN
LSU has lost four straight games to Alabama and has not beaten the
Crimson Tide since 2011. That's a major problem in Baton Rouge that seems to be
sticking the craw of the LSU brass that want Miles gone.
The solution is beating Alabama next season. The problem is that the Crimson
Tide will still probably be the better team and, although it's always a
competitive game, Alabama simply has a more-loaded roster at this point. At least the game will be at LSU.
The vanilla game plan and the apparent lack of changes by LSU in its 30-16 loss
in early November to Alabama, which led to the Tigers' collapse down the
stretch, was a major reason why Miles could have been fired.
Something needs to change heading into next season.
3. DEVELOP THE QB
LSU averaged nearly 31 points per game during the 2015 regular season, but the
Tigers had only 1,904 passing yards and 12 passing touchdowns. LSU's
offense was often either Leonard Fournette or bust.
Former four-star quarterback Brandon Harris completed only 53 percent of his passes. He threw only 12 touchdowns. The choices for Miles and his staff
for next season are to drastically improve Harris so the LSU passing threat is
real and consistent or to move on to another option at that position who could
provide much more firepower than what LSU fans saw this season.
4. ALTER THE OFFENSE
Yes, we understand. Fournette is the focal point of the offense and he could be
one of the best running backs in recent college football history. There was
essentially a coronation of him as the Heisman Trophy winner before
LSU's year collapsed. There was somewhat serious discussion whether he should
sit out next season to prepare for the NFL and not take as many hits.
But, as everyone saw late in the season, Fournette cannot do it alone and Miles
needs to involve his receivers more in the offense. He and his offensive staff
need to spread the offense out, spread the ball around and utilize playmakers.
Former five-star Malachi Dupre from River Ridge (La.) John Curtis led the team in receptions (39), receiving yards (602) and receiving touchdowns (6)
but was a non-factor far too often. Receiver Travin Dural, a four-star from Beaux Bridge, La., only had three touchdowns all season.
No receiver averaged more than 54.7 yards per game. Other than Fournette, with 18
catches, no other LSU receiver had a dozen. That is inexcusable and needs to
change for Miles to stay.
5. RECRUIT, RECRUIT, RECRUIT
The difficulty Miles now faces in recruiting is that all the top prospects were
aware he was almost canned following the collapse late this season. To sell
stability and his presence could be a significant challenge.
But LSU still has the second-best recruiting class behind only
Ohio State even with the recent de-commitment of four-star quarterback Feleipe Franks, who's now committed to Florida. Rated No. 29 overall, the
Crawfordville (Fla.) Wakulla standout could have been an answer at quarterback
for the Tigers.
The Tigers are doing well in-state with commitments from the top two prospects
-- Destrehan DE Glen Logan and DT Edwin Alexander -- and have
a tremendous group of defensive players pledged in this class.
One other crucial point for Miles: class of 2017 five-star Dylan Moses, the former LSU commit and most highly-touted in-state prospect since Fournette, is back on the market. It's vital for Miles and his staff to lock up the hometown kid because he could be the next game-changer in Baton Rouge.
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