Pat's Take - Tedford Will Do More Than Les

Is Miles the Right Choice?

Les Miles has become everyone's favorite to replace Lloyd Carr at Michigan and all signs point to this happening soon after LSU finishes its regular season this Saturday against Tennessee in the SEC championship game. But should wolverine fans rejoice overMiles? What will the program look like in 4 years with Miles at the helm? Are there any other candidates that would do a better job as Michigan's leader?

There are more things that go into being a college football coach than X's and O's, recruiting and winning football games. Ultimately, these three things end up defining almost all coaches and for many people they are the sole way of defining success. Miles' experience points to him excelling in these areas at two different schools (Oklahoma State and LSU) and is the reason people are enamored with him as the next coach of Michigan.

But there are some other attributes that I think the next Michigan coach better have. He should be a MAN we can all be proud of. (see Lloyd Carr) The head football coach at Michigan stands for something more than just winning football games, he is the greatest representative in the media of our university. This position is not something to be taken lightly or to be given out to a person who will not represent the University to the highest degree. Miles may be that guy, but he has some things in his past that point to some issues in these areas. Everyone should watch the youtube videos of Les on the verge of tears...I'm not sure if its a good thing or a bad thing....simply information. Or the infamous "Let er rip" quote before an Oklahoma state game. How about when the 40 year old man Mike Gundy replaced him at okie state and players were quoted as saying guys couldn't get away with same things they got away with under Miles? Crazy Gundy really was the one who layed down the law at Oklahoma State?

Simply put, my personal opinion on Les is that our program will not take a dip in wins and losses with him at the helm. I'm not sure it will reach a new level either. However, the last thing any Michigan man wants is another debacle in the mold of Gary Moeller. No more black eyes please. I hope that media and personal donor hype do not cloud the vision of Bill Martin. If the rumor is true, and Lloyd really does not approve of Les being hired, it gives me great caution.

Miles has proven to be a quality coach in quality conferences and wants to lead Michigan. Those are fine attributes, but I'm not hailing him as the next Bo anytime soon.

Michigan would be well served to do their homework and look at other candidates. Is there a coach out there who can win the same amount of games as Les and do it while not giving me the queasy feeling he may say or do something stupid at any moment? I'd like Jeff Tedford, but he seems to only be mentioned by media people. You can read the case for Tedford stated by Michael Rosenberg of the Detroit Free Press.

Tedford isn't the surefire candidate Miles is because he has no connection to UofM or even the Midwest. But i think he is the best coach available. Cal, notoriously the shitty Pac-10 equivalent of the big ten's Indiana or Illinois, has become a nationally reknowned program under Tedford. The idea of him leading the wolverines to victory after victory over Ohio State gives me a chubby.

In 2003 Tedford did what Michigan can't ever do in the Rose Bowl and beat USC. (If you remember we got blasted by that same USC team who shared the national championship) Tedford is known for making himself out of humble upbringings and for being a father to his players.

One story has him kissing one of his players on some momentous occasion (i wish i knew the story, do some research Robby). It may sound weird, but i want our coach to have that type of relationship and love with his players. I feel like this guy LOOKS like he should be Michigan's next coach, and when it comes to X's and O's there's not many better than Tedford. His development of NFL quarterbacks is ridiculous. The most amazing thing is that not many of them have found great success in the pros after being first round picks because of Tedford's tutelage. It's certainly coaching when a guy looks like a god in college and can't perform up to his hype in the NFL. Tedford puts his QB's in the right situations and coaches them to be successful. One can only hope that Ryan Mallett turns into a quarterback that doesn't make every Michigan fan bite their lip til it bleeds every time he steps back in the pocket. Mallett's undeniable talent is of the sort that Tedford could turn into a Heisman candidate. Without excellent coaching i can see Mallett becoming a backup.

It makes me sad to say that Tedford probably won't be the next Michigan coach, and it is more likely to be Miles. I will support Miles and i hope he proves me wrong and becomes the next Bo, but he's this fan's second choice.