BATON ROUGE — LSU head coach Les Miles officially began his fifth season on Wednesday, as the football staff welcomed 105 student-athletes to campus for their first day of official team activites. Watch coach Miles’ interview now and check back for details on the day.
Interview Part 1 (free)
Interview Part 2 (free)
Recap of coach’s comments:
- Junior DE Akiem Hicks will be at practice Thursday.
- Freshmen LB Tahj Jones and DB Craig Loston are not yet on campus.
- Sophomore DE Sidell Corley left team prior to reporting; other new DE’s who may contribute
- Comments on starting year 5 and this year’s expectations.
- Injuries: C T-Bob Hebert ready to play, RB Stevan Ridley and FB/OL Richard Dugas both “way ahead in their rehabilitation”; WR Tim Molton out for the season, awaiting surgery; DB Stefoin Francios and DT Charles Alexander both participating.
- The role of freshman ATH Russell Shepard still up in the air. Will start day 1 at quarterback…then, who knows?
- WR/Return Specialist Trindon Holliday “committed to football”
LSU HEAD COACH LES MILES
Opening statement…
“It’s a great time of year. We’re a reconvening team that really wants to play. They’ve had a really strong summer, and frankly I expect the efforts in two-a-day camp to be what we need. We want to play dominant football out here, and frankly our team understands that. There are some guys that we’ll be new to the group. (DL) Akiem Hicks got a ?B’ (grade) in college algebra. Nice job. We expect to hear more fully in a day or so about (LB) Tahj Jones. We’re optimistic. (S)Craig Loston probably won’t be here until school. He’s got class work that he’s finishing.
“We had some attrition with Sidell Corley who had a very difficult personal run, and we certainly understand football doesn’t fit everyone’s timetable. We wish him the very best, and he has success. I’m looking forward to this one. I can tell you that when I got dressed today I realized I get to coach. I get to be with my team, so it’s a good day.”
On Hicks’ eligibility…
“The only hurdle that he had was one class, and he did very well, so I don’t know if the (NCAA) Clearinghouse has actually ruled on it at this point, but I’m certain that it’s a matter of formality from this point forward. He’ll be at practice. I think there is some amount of time that the Clearinghouse gives to allow a student-athlete who appears to be qualified before they rule, so I think he’ll be in camp.”
On Corley’s immediate plan…
“I have no idea. I suspect that he (Corley) will transfer, but being close to home may well be the best thing for him.”
On if he expects Craig Loston to make an impact this year…
“Absolutely. To be honest with you, we would hope that when he gets ready that we gain some speed in fast order.”
On if he sees a lot of the freshman class contributing…
“I think there is a lot of competition. I believe there are some guys in that freshman class that can come onto the field by need and by ability. I had a long talk with my staff this morning, and evaluation is going to be the key. We’re not going to go days when we don’t talk about our personnel. When you have a veteran team and you know who’s in, there were times when there was little conversation that needed to be had. Today, because of talent, there are a group of guys that need to be reviewed more regularly.”
On what has changed and remains the same going into this fifth camp at LSU…
“I think the last four years have been a blur. It’s gone by so fast and been so enjoyable. It’s very similar. It’s very much LSU and a great football team, and expectations are very high.”
On if 8-5 is unacceptable…
“Eight (wins) was unacceptable. To be honest with you, we used to play and are used to playing for championships. We’ll have achievement. I have to be honest with you; we won 11 games and won the SEC West in my first year here, and we fell a little short. That’s how it is. These falls are marked by great efforts, great games and certainly improvement. A team that improves and achieves certainly is worthy of that recognition, but this program is designed to hang banners in this building. You just look around, and that’s what we want to do.”
On what the team needs to do to reach expectations…
“The team needs to buy in and understand its role, individually and as a unit. They need to gel, come together and play hard. The good news is that there’s some talent on this team.”
On if he needs to prove anything after four years…
“I’ve never felt that need. I’ve always wanted to help my team in every way, and I’m so not personally viewed. I always view what’s best for my ball club.”
On how Corley’s departure affects the defensive line…
“He was in a backup position at best, and I think it’s safe to say that he’ll be missed, but I don’t know how much we were actually going to count on him this fall.”
On if he sees any freshmen on the defensive line contributing…
“I see Chris Davenport and a number of guys that may step up and play. Bennie Logan, Sam Montgomery, Michael Brockers and a number of guys have ability.”
On when he quits referring to last year’s record with his team…
“I don’t know that quit referring is the exact issue. I think there are lessons that need to have been learned, and I think shared pasts and histories are common knowledge. The great thing is that there are great examples that are in this program and from past seasons, teams and players that know how to do it and know how to play.”
On how this offensive line group stacks up with others he’s had here…
“The young centers I think we’ll be good. I like both my guards and both my tackles. I think we’re pretty good. I think there were some other great offensive line classes that we’ve had here. I think this may be one. I think (OG) Lyle Hitt is rounding into ability and may be one of the strengths of this line. At one point in time he was probably the newcomer. I don’t know quite how they match up, but I like them. I think we’ll have some advantages there.”
On more certainty at the quarterback position this year…
“I think there are two quarterbacks that have experience, and I think our football team is going to be much better by the execution at the position. Certainly Jordan Jefferson comes off a season-ending bowl experience and has really had a great summer. I think our team is looking forward to having him at quarterback.”
On the status of some players with injuries…
“T-Bob Hebert is full-go. Stevan Ridley is full-go, but we’re going to start with a moderate approach to see how he comes, but we expect him to catch speed fast. Richard Dugas is much the same. Both of those guys are way ahead in their rehabilitation, and we’re thrilled about it, but again, we’ll go slow. Tim Molton will not participate. He’s waiting to get his knee operated on. He’s done for the year.”
On if Charles Alexander is better off this fall in terms of health…
“I think he’s better because he lost some weight, and he’s in better shape. I would expect that he’ll be much better.”
On if there is some value in keeping last year’s record in the back of the players’ minds…
“I think when not talked about, there’s an understanding of what that feels like. There will be times to let go.”
On if he’ll state Russell Shepard‘s role on the team…
“If I knew it, I would tell you. We’ll find out. He’s a very talented man. He has great ability at a number of positions. He will work at quarterback.”
On if he’s counting on Rueben Randle this season…
“You bet. He’s a very bright learner and very talented man. Of course he’ll have to make strides. These two-a-day camps for the young guys, they don’t quite know what to expect, and it will take some time.”
On what were some low moments he’s had so far as LSU coach…
“I certainly have enjoyed my time. I don’t know that I have focused in that way. I look to last year, and I see great games. I see great competition and a nice finish, but I certainly understand that there was some disappointment. I think we understand the problems that created that, and that’s being addressed routinely.”
On where the team is defensively compared to this time last year…
“I think we’re fine. I think we are probably going to do more in certain ways. It’s more defined for our players and hopefully more comfortable.”