Players shocked over Miles’ firing
According to LSU players, social media began to come alive in mid-afternoon Sunday with reports of the dismissal of coach Les Miles and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.
Shortly thereafter, the players received a text message announcing a team meeting for 5 p.m. Sunday – their normal off day.
“I heard rumors (of Miles’ firing) this afternoon,” senior center Ethan Pocic said. “Some stuff was being said that I wasn’t too sure about. Then, we got a text about a meeting at 5 p.m. It came out on social media that coach was fired.”
Pocic was one of a handful players made available to the media by LSU following the team meeting Sunday evening. There was one common thread throughout all of their reactions. No one was expecting Miles to be fired.
“I am very shocked,” junior running back Leonard Fournette said. “I was just coming from the doctor when I heard about it. I hate everything with the way it went down. I had built a relationship with (Miles). He always loves us. We have some great memories with him. He is one helluva coach.
“Players develop such relationships with the coaches. Someone who has no father or no mother can always talk to the coaches. Of course, you feel some guilt about what happened. At the same time, we understand this is a business.”
During the team meeting Sunday, Miles addressed the team. He had a couple of messages for this team which he put together.
“Coach (Miles) gave a speech which touched me,” senior wide receiver Travin Dural said. “He almost broke down. You could tell he really loved the team. He had great memories with everyone on the team.”
LSU has a 2-2 record, including a 1-1 mark in the Southeastern Conference. Miles wants this team to continue to compete over the last eight games of the regular season.
“Coach Miles told us that he wants us to go play,” Pocic said. “Coach Miles was very emotional. He put his heart into this team. It was a little emotional for the team. But, it is out of our hands. All we can do is move forward. Coach Miles wants us to be excited to play ball.”
When LSU plays host to Missouri on Saturday night at Tiger Stadium, defensive line assistant Ed Orgeron will be running the show as interim head coach. Orgeron has experience as an interim head coach. As interim head coach at Southern California in 2012, Orgeron had a 6-2 record.
Orgeron talked to the team after Miles on Sunday.
“Coach O brought in a rope,” junior safety Jamal Adams said. “Everybody touched the rope. He wants all of us moving in one way with one heartbeat. I am shocked (about the firing). It was a real sad moment when coach Miles talked to us. He told us to keep fighting. Now, we have to move on with Coach O.”
No one should have been surprised that Miles could lose his job after the events of last November when representatives of LSU made contact with representatives of Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher. After three straight seasons of at least three SEC losses, Miles needed a big year in 2016.
“We didn’t worry about those things which happened last year,” Adams said. “The distractions are something we do not want to deal with. We just want to play football. Most definitely, college football is a business.”
The business of college football eventually ended Miles’ tenure at LSU. The Tigers have not been a serious threat in the Western Division since the 2012 season. In that span, LSU has a 15-11 record against SEC teams.
“Coach Miles loved his team,” senior cornerback Tre’Davious White said. “He loved each and every one of us. You have mixed emotions with a sudden change like this.
“This was something I was not expecting. But, you just have to roll with it now. We have to finish the season. The only way something positive can come out of this is to win football games.”
Pocic has not been coached by Orgeron, but he knows all about his style.
“Coach O brings a new energy,” Pocic said. “He is pumped up. We are excited to play for Coach O. What has happened is not easy. The best thing I can do is do whatever Coach O asks. He’s our coach now.”