OSU fans should appreciate Les Miles
Published: 9/18/2006 9:15 AM
Last Modified: 9/18/2006 9:15 AM
On Saturday, when it was announced at Boone Pickens Stadium that LSU lost to Auburn, Oklahoma State fans responded with a loud cheer.
Why?
Because Les Miles coaches the LSU Tigers.
Why do so many Cowboy fans seem to dislike Miles? Sure, he mishandled the LSU situation during the week of the 2004 Alamo Bowl. While denying that he was directly involved in LSU's search for a new head coach, he met with LSU representatives while in San Antonio. OSU's game preparation might have been affected. Ohio State crushed the Cowboys 33-7. Days later, after coaching the Cowboys for four seasons, Miles resigned to take the LSU job.
While Cowboy fans could justifiably have felt stung by Miles' departure, no one can deny that he did a remarkable job in Stillwater. Miles-coached Cowboy teams were 2-2 against OU and played in three consecutive bowls. For more than half of their games played in 2003 and 2004, the Cowboys had a national ranking.
Miles breathed life into the OSU program. The Cowboys' 2001 and 2002 victories over OU were huge factors in the establishment of fund-raising momentum and, ultimately, the renovation of the stadium.
It's ridiculous that Miles is not remembered more fondly. It could be argued that he is one of the three most significant figures in Oklahoma State football history. The other two, of course, would be Boone Pickens and Barry Sanders.
-- Bill Haisten
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
