These last two weeks, media outlets both local and national have struggled to understand LSU football coach Les Miles — and what he means to the Tiger faithful.
In the wake of the Tennessee game two weeks ago, when the team’s last-minute confusion sent a rain of cups, water bottles and obscenities pouring down from the stands, Miles seemed to have a target on his back. Major national sports commentators discussed the rage some fans had for the coach, despite his perfect record this season.
“Like perhaps no 5-0 coach before him, LSU’s Les Miles has managed to win all of his games while simultaneously enraging his team’s fans,” wrote Darren Everson in a Wall Street Journal article titled “Undefeated and Completely Miserable.”
“Miles might be the least-popular coach that a 5-0, 12th-ranked team could ever have,” said an Associated Press story about the game.
But in the wake of a hard-fought Florida victory Saturday — a game clinched partially by a wild fake field goal on fourth-and-4 with 35 seconds on the clock —  commentators started to speak of Miles in a confused, almost awed tone.
“Sometimes he looks like a gutsy genius. Sometimes he looks like an idiot. Sometimes he looks like an idiot savant. Sometimes, he just looks incredibly lucky,” wrote Rivals.com blogger Matt Hinton the night of the win. “Miles tried to insist tonight that there was ‘nothing mad’ under his trademark hat, but these are the kinds of nights that should allow him to embrace the ‘Mad Hatter’ persona.”
ESPN blogger Bruce Feldman went further.
“Maybe the guy is just smarter than everyone else. My God, how much more proof do we need?” Feldman wrote.
Whether the commentators are loving or hating Miles, however, one thread is common — the coach defies logic. And University public relations assistant professor Danny Shipka says Miles’ predicament defies the logic of his area of expertise.
“He is facing things in a PR realm he shouldn’t be facing,” Shipka said.
Shipka has used Miles’ example as a case study for his public relations classes. He said students in those classes are not happy with the coach, even after the Florida game.
“I’m a little perplexed as to why there’s so much animosity for a coach who hasn’t lost,” Shipka said. “Things didn’t really change after [the Florida win].”
Shipka said Miles hasn’t been a real problem so far for the LSU Athletic Department or the University because his team is winning.
“[Being] 6-0 is the perfect panacea,” Shipka said, grinning.
Because fans are still attending games, Shipka argued, the Athletic Department shouldn’t be worried.
But Shipka said the department should be thinking about “contingency plans” should the season go south. With tough games coming up against Auburn, Alabama and Arkansas, Shipka said there’s still a risk Miles could become a liability.
“If he goes and loses those three games, he’ll be toast,” Shipka warned. “If he loses two, you’ll be seeing a whole lot less of Les.”
Shipka said the Athletic Department might benefit from keeping Miles out of the spotlight.
“If I was doing PR for Les Miles, I’d keep him out of the open,” he said. “He’s not known for being the most eloquent guy in the world.”
Herb Vincent, associate vice chancellor for University Relations and senior associate athletic director, said the Athletic Department isn’t worried by the criticism.
Vincent said some fans are judging Miles based on how they expect he will perform instead of how he is performing.
“People like to predict the future,” he said. “Why not enjoy the success you’re having now?”
When asked about the general perception of his coaching style after the Florida game, Miles responded sharply.
“I could give a rat’s ass,” he snapped. “I have only ever given thought to my team, and I am doing those things needed to make my team better.”
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Contact Matthew Albright at [email protected]