Letters: Miles should count blessings quietly

As an LSU alumnus who lives in South Carolina, I am glad Coach Les Miles is staying at LSU.

However, a press conference comment of his that aired on ESPN was in profound poor taste. “With four kids going to college,” Miles said, “I need a raise.”

In these tough economic times, it is insulting for someone who earns $3.6 million a year to even joke about needing a raise to send children to college. Too many people — many of them Tiger fans — are working just as hard as Les Miles while making a tiny fraction of his salary and barely making ends meet.

Paul “Bear” Bryant used to say that he never accepted a salary larger than the university president. Those days are gone, but hopefully the class and sensitivity Bear Bryant had for everyday people still exists.

Coach Miles should quietly accept his raise and count his blessings. He shouldn’t be flippant about it. It’s not funny.

Lee Mikell

professional fundraiser

Charleston, S.C.

Comments

1) Comment by Michael Gary Scott - 04/12/2012

Miles showed great restraint with the little jerk that went to Notre Dame. The kid was out for the perks, Notre Dame can give athletes whatever they want without worry of NCAA sanction since they are untouchable. As for the jealosy of Miles salary, he earns it, doesn't wait for Obama to send him a check.

2) Comment by bourbon-soda - 03/12/2012

Most of them are more comments on the comments and commenters than on the original ridiculous letter. But you are at 40% of same as of time of your post.

3) Comment by Bouncer - 03/12/2012

bouron-sode: you're like a giant turd that won't flush. Five posts on this ridiculous topic? Get a life.

4) Comment by bourbon-soda - 03/12/2012

Gulliver's jest incites a lilliputian word riot. Coach Miles would probably be the last person to claim that he is another Bear Bryant. You don't have to be one to be a great coach.

5) Comment by cbelse1 - 03/12/2012

His comment was meant as humor; whatever he said, someone in this world would have been offended and would have demanded an apology... because that's what we do now. Regarding his salary, the funds come from donations made to TAF and athletic department revenue. I wish people would get this fired up when our elected officials choose to spend public money in an equally frivolous and improper manner (e.g. the voucher program).

6) Comment by Sidwit - 02/12/2012

When will people stop making excuses for this man? His comments are in poor taste. His comments about the kid who went to Notre Dame were in poor taste. His treatment of jarrett Lee was ridiculous. His recruiting classes have not been as good as before. But he's been averaging 10 wins a season so who gives a rat's behind. He is no Bear Bryant and never will be.

7) Comment by ScotB - 02/12/2012

Football accounts for 14% of LSU total revenue from all sources, higher than any other program in the nation. Those funds are critical to LSU. No other university in the nation depends on its football program like ours does. Les Miles has a very important job where literally millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs depend on the decisions & actions he takes, both on the field and off the field. Like many CEOs, he is well compensated because there are few who can do what he does. For those that doubt the value of quality leadership, I would point out that the Saints have essentially the same roster that made them a dominate team in football last year, but are missing one key partner - the coach, Sean Payton. You could not have designed a better thought experiment on the value of coaching if you had done it on purpose. We also see this happen again and again with the best CEOs and the decline of companies upon their departure to other companies, retirements, or deaths. Besides, it was a joke. Most people can appreciate a little humor, especially in hard times. Thank you Les Miles for the hundreds of jobs and university programs that are made possible by your continued success. We count heavily on you and you have not let us down!

8) Comment by bourbon-soda - 02/12/2012

The humor impairment of the left knows no limits.

9) Comment by Bouncer - 02/12/2012

I agree with the sentiment expressed in Mr. Mikell's letter. It was fairly tasteless and tactless for someone making 3.6 million to claim that he "needs" more money. Although blanketed in the guise of humor, Miles' comment betrays a basic human failing: avarice.

10) Comment by bourbon-soda - 01/12/2012

People willing to tell other people what they need to do are ubiquitous. Was it Charlie Brown who said something like the world is full of people willing to serve in an advisory capacity?

11) Comment by twinkie1cat - 01/12/2012

Les Miles does not need a raise. With his salary he could put 6 kids through college without batting an eye. But he will get it because, while Bobby Jindal is the Emperor, Football is the King and if LSU closed down there would still be a huge demand for football. Les needs to count his blessings and be absolutely sure that he gives back to the community charitably and in proportion to his income.

12) Comment by bourbon-soda - 01/12/2012

Think of it as an aspect of an equally valid culture (as all are) different from your own. Show a little tolerance.

13) Comment by potkcalb - 01/12/2012

You need to understand priorities Lee. Football (fubah) is what is important.

14) Comment by tradewinns - 01/12/2012

$3.6 Million a year? makes me want to increase taxes on the rich!

15) Comment by bourbon-soda - 01/12/2012

The new puritans, more concerned than the old that someone somewhere is having a good time. Any "professional fundraiser" would be glad to have Coach Miles on his team. Google [uconn coach calhoun press conference salary] for a great response that Coach Miles would probably be too nice a guy to emulate.

16) Comment by Bighug - 01/12/2012

Don't get your shorts in a knot, Lee. Just smile and get on with your life.