Les Miles entered the East Laville lobby Tuesday night with three of his four kids — all sporting purple and gold.
As Miles played baby sitter for the night, on-campus residents performed the duty of media.
A crowd flooded the lobby resulting in standing-room-only and roared as Miles made his entrance.
Miles was followed by his eldest son Manny, middle son Ben and baby girl Macy. While Macy stole the show with her numerous outbursts, Miles picked up the slack with an hour-long Q & A session.
Questions were fired from all sides of the room — serious questions like: Do you agree with some papers that say Urban Meyer is the best coach at a new school? That made Miles pause for a second, with a smile.
Lighter questions included interrogating Miles on how bad the Tigers would crush Auburn.
Miles came into LSU with a different approach than that of previous coach Nick Saban. Saban succeeded former coach Gerry Dinardo — which a majority of fans saw as a relief. However, Miles’ situation is quite different after replacing a household name. Miles said by reaching out to the community he is fulfilling a responsibility.
“I enjoy being in front of you who are going to school here now, and when you get out as a graduate it will be that much more to you,” Miles said. “I want to represent the memories and experience. I feel like it is my responsibility to do that. I have four children so I am always out in the community. I have no choice.”
Miles also hinted at taking a different approach to after-game celebrations as well. While Saban was begged at his last home game to come back out to thank the student section, Miles mentioned going as far as joining with players in the student section to sing LSU’s Alma Mater.
“This is something that is on my agenda to talk about to the staff and student leaders. I don’t think ya’ll have had that in years past,” Miles said. “How do you think the student section would respond?”
The comments caused an uproar of applause with a few students singing the Alma Mater. Miles looked on in awe.
The look on Miles’ face summed up his favorite thing about LSU — the fans.
“I have been welcomed by so many people to Baton Rouge,” Miles said. “I went to watch [Manny] play baseball, and a nine-year-old boy comes up and says ‘Coach, welcome to Baton Rouge.’ I feel that I am surrounded by so many wonderful people.”
All students are welcome to join Miles Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. in the Cox Communications Building to participate in another question-and-answer session.