Rhino
2/9/2007, 04:15 PM
Oh, Les.
LSU coach directs expletive at Tide (http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1171017115220300.xml&coll=2)
Friday, February 09, 2007
IAN R. RAPOPORT
News staff writer
LSU football coach Les Miles used an expletive in referring to the University of Alabama at a public signing day party attended by several thousand people in Baton Rouge.
"We're looking forward to playing Florida," Miles told a large crowd at Wednesday's Bayou Bash recruiting party at the Baton Rouge (La.) River Center. "We're looking forward to playing Auburn. But we have a new rival in f--ing Alabama."
Miles, who competed with new Alabama coach and former LSU coach Nick Saban to get the signatures of top recruits, was quoted by several media outlets in Louisiana, including The Shreveport Times, which published his word choice as "expletive deleted."
The newspaper reported that Miles got a standing ovation for his comments. Miles' speech was given in front of a crowd that included children. The families of Miles and his coaches were also present.
LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette said Miles would have no further comment.
Crimson Tide spokesman Doug Walker said Alabama had no response.
Alabama and LSU are scheduled to play in Tuscaloosa on Nov.3.
The expletive wasn't the only shot Miles took on Wednesday.
At a news conference to announce the Tigers' signing class, Miles was asked if Alabama had employed negative recruiting tactics toward LSU while trying to woo several prospects. Miles sidestepped the question, speaking only in general terms.
"I can tell you that there was some negative recruiting going on out there," Miles said. "Whatever was used against our staff obviously didn't work."
At issue was the recruitment of Luther Davis, a defensive end from West Monroe (La.) who de-committed from LSU to sign with the Crimson Tide. On Wednesday, Saban said he would not be shy about recruiting in his former home state.
"We're going to recruit anywhere there are good players," Saban said. "If they have them in Louisiana, we'll go after them."
Bonnette said Miles' quotes about negative recruiting were not specifically directed at Alabama.
Davis said he heard nothing negative from Saban regarding LSU.
"Not true at all," said Davis, considered a four-star prospect by recruiting services. "The most Coach Saban mentioned LSU was to say how he helped raise money for the academic center. (Miles) is saying negative recruiting is the reason I signed with Alabama. But that's a lie. The reason I went to Alabama was that my chances of playing early were better there than at LSU."
Three weeks ago, Davis told Rivals.com that Saban took credit for the success of fourth-ranked LSU. Thursday, he said Saban never did that.
"He could've, because everyone who knows football knows those are his players," Davis said. "But he never pointed that out."
At his news conference, Miles also alleged that several schools committed recruiting violations, though he was not specific.
"If in fact we find there's some irregularities, they will be turned in," Miles said. "But I wouldn't want to say that it appeared from any one school more than any other."
Bonnette said again that Miles was not talking about Alabama. :les:
LSU coach directs expletive at Tide (http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1171017115220300.xml&coll=2)
Friday, February 09, 2007
IAN R. RAPOPORT
News staff writer
LSU football coach Les Miles used an expletive in referring to the University of Alabama at a public signing day party attended by several thousand people in Baton Rouge.
"We're looking forward to playing Florida," Miles told a large crowd at Wednesday's Bayou Bash recruiting party at the Baton Rouge (La.) River Center. "We're looking forward to playing Auburn. But we have a new rival in f--ing Alabama."
Miles, who competed with new Alabama coach and former LSU coach Nick Saban to get the signatures of top recruits, was quoted by several media outlets in Louisiana, including The Shreveport Times, which published his word choice as "expletive deleted."
The newspaper reported that Miles got a standing ovation for his comments. Miles' speech was given in front of a crowd that included children. The families of Miles and his coaches were also present.
LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette said Miles would have no further comment.
Crimson Tide spokesman Doug Walker said Alabama had no response.
Alabama and LSU are scheduled to play in Tuscaloosa on Nov.3.
The expletive wasn't the only shot Miles took on Wednesday.
At a news conference to announce the Tigers' signing class, Miles was asked if Alabama had employed negative recruiting tactics toward LSU while trying to woo several prospects. Miles sidestepped the question, speaking only in general terms.
"I can tell you that there was some negative recruiting going on out there," Miles said. "Whatever was used against our staff obviously didn't work."
At issue was the recruitment of Luther Davis, a defensive end from West Monroe (La.) who de-committed from LSU to sign with the Crimson Tide. On Wednesday, Saban said he would not be shy about recruiting in his former home state.
"We're going to recruit anywhere there are good players," Saban said. "If they have them in Louisiana, we'll go after them."
Bonnette said Miles' quotes about negative recruiting were not specifically directed at Alabama.
Davis said he heard nothing negative from Saban regarding LSU.
"Not true at all," said Davis, considered a four-star prospect by recruiting services. "The most Coach Saban mentioned LSU was to say how he helped raise money for the academic center. (Miles) is saying negative recruiting is the reason I signed with Alabama. But that's a lie. The reason I went to Alabama was that my chances of playing early were better there than at LSU."
Three weeks ago, Davis told Rivals.com that Saban took credit for the success of fourth-ranked LSU. Thursday, he said Saban never did that.
"He could've, because everyone who knows football knows those are his players," Davis said. "But he never pointed that out."
At his news conference, Miles also alleged that several schools committed recruiting violations, though he was not specific.
"If in fact we find there's some irregularities, they will be turned in," Miles said. "But I wouldn't want to say that it appeared from any one school more than any other."
Bonnette said again that Miles was not talking about Alabama. :les: