No hot seats here for LSU coaches

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By Joshua Davidson

The LSU coaches can all breathe a sigh of relief heading into next season as all of them have plenty of wiggle room.

There doesn't seem to be a weak link when it comes to coaching at LSU, as all the major coaches contributing nicely to very good seasons this past year. This past school year featured NCAA Tournament appearances from both the men's and women's basketball teams, another bowl victory for the football team, outstanding performances in track and, of course, a national championship win in baseball, among other great accomplishments in LSU sports.

Coach Paul Mainieri capped off an outstanding season with the Tigers by being named National Coach of the Year by both Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America. Mainieri has seemed to make all the right moves at the right times, earning him a place as LSU's skipper for years to come without having to worry about anyone breathing down his neck.

Coach Trent Johnson came to LSU after already having an impressive resume at both Nevada and Stanford. Johnson became the first African American coach at LSU and led the Tigers to an SEC Title and a birth into the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and he was named SEC Coach of the Year for basketball.

Johnson has been just what the Tigers have needed in a basketball coach, has held his players accountable, and has exceeded expectations in the meantime. Even in what looks to be a rebuilding year next season, Coach Johnson has the support of the Tiger faithful and should be donning the purple and gold for some time to come.

LSU knew exactly what it was getting when it hired Coach Van Chancellor two years ago to take the helm of the university's women's basketball program. Coach Chancellor has had a hall of fame career in both the WNBA and college basketball. There's no doubt that this job is his until he decides to retire again.

The coach with perhaps the most debatable fate at LSU is Coach Les Miles. An 8-5 record with a blowout bowl game win would be counted as a successful football season by all but maybe 20 schools in the country, but after the success LSU has tasted over the last 10 years, it could be looked at as a disappointment to some.

Coach Miles is every bit as good and as faithful as any other coach in the country and has done a very nice job since taking over as head coach of LSU's football program four years ago, going 42-11 with an SEC title as well as a national championship win in 2007.

There's no denying Miles' ability to be a damn good football coach as well as his ability to recruit the best of the best to play down here. The fact of the matter is that any other coach in the country would've left LSU to go to his alma mater, but Les didn't two years ago when there was an opportunity waiting for him in Michigan. He remained faithful and pledged his support to LSU.

In sum, it's time we pledge our support to Les and let him know that - like all of the other coaches here at LSU - we stand behind him through thick and thin. It's time to celebrate the accomplishments of the coaches here at LSU for their many contributions to our outstanding athletic programs throughout the years.

Originally Published: Issue 807 - July 8, 2009

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