Kansas football is the talk of town, county, state and the entire nation. Former LSU head coach Les Miles has already made the Jayhawks relevant once again.
There were several names tossed about in the days and weeks since the dismissal of David Beaty. Some had merit and might have done well in Lawrence, Kansas — they just weren’t going to knock anyone’s socks off. That was true for all the candidates, except one, Les Mikes.
The dreams of landing the former LSU head coach have been realized. Miles will reportedly take over for Beaty as the next head coach for Kansas football. Miles brings legitimacy, experience and excitement to a program in desperate need of revival. It’s going to take time. There’s no denying the level of destitution Miles has inherited, but the possibilities for what this program could become are endless.
Now that Miles has reentered the Division I coaching ranks, five active head coaches have won at least one national championship: Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M, Urban Meyer at Ohio State, Dabo Swinney at Clemson, Nick Saban at Alabama and Les Miles at Kansas. There’s no denying one of those destinations is not like the others, but Miles doesn’t fit anyone’s typical brand of a head coach either.
Miles is a winner, a character and a signal fire int he midst of the college football wilderness. Kansas has staked their claim toward resurgence. Miles is the right man for the job.
It’s basketball season, which usually is the time when Jayhawks check out from their football affinity and embrace college basketball with fervor. There will be plenty of that this year, but don’t count on Miles to bring interesting football back to Lawrence by the time next November rolls around. The Jayhawks might not win, but as long as Miles is there, they’ll always be must-see tv.