LSU coach Les Miles said Thursday he has no plans to make staffing changes before the Tigers face No. 14 Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta on New Year’s Eve.”The time to evaluate the year is after we are done playing,” he said after a press conference with bowl officials.Co-defensive coordinators Bradley Dale Peveto and Doug Mallory have been under heat after the Tigers ended the season with five losses and a struggling defense, which ranks No. 9 in total defense in the Southeastern Conference.Miles previously said some “adjustments” would be made before the bowl game, but his comments Thursday indicated his team will prepare with the current staff.”Our staff is doing everything they can to recruit a great class. They’re on the road constantly, and we’ll return back in to prepare a game plan for this bowl game,” he said. “I will look at and evaluate any considerations beyond this bowl game very quickly. Frankly, we’re going to need all of our focus and every view to prepare to play well in this bowl game. That’s kind of how I want to view it.”Miles also addressed the challenge of preparing for Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson’s triple option offensive attack.”He runs option, and he runs option, and he runs option,” Miles said. “You have to be very disciplined when you play it. It has to be a relentless effort to pursue it. We understand it’s going to be a great test. It’s what we need.”Despite the Tigers’ struggles during the 2008 season, Miles said he is not concerned about a drop-off in the 2009 recruiting class.”I think our class understands that beyond the national championship year and the troubles that we had at quarterback, there was a natural adjustment that took place,” he said. “I think they understand that it may be an advantage to come to LSU this year with a little bit more hungry demeanor and an opportunity for young guys to step onto the field.”Chick-fil-A Bowl President Gary Stokan was present for Thursday’s press conference, along with the signature Chick-fil-A cow mascot wearing an LSU jersey. LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva said LSU has sold 11,000 of its 15,000 ticket allotment. Georgia Tech announced Tuesday it had sold its full allotment.”I know our fans will step up and fill the allotment for this game,” Alleva said.
Miles: Coaching evaluations to take place after bowl game
By Amy Brittain
December 11, 2008