Make your choice: Les Miles and Dave Doeren reach coaching search bracket finals

By Staff Nov 13, 2018

FILE — Former LSU head coach Les Miles watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

It all comes down to this.

After dominating their competition in each of the first four rounds, former LSU and Oklahoma State coach Les Miles and North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren are the only two candidates remaining in our fan-driven KU Football Coaching Search Bracket.

The athletic director at the University of Kansas, Jeff Long would consider himself fortunate if his finalists turn out to be as good as these two.

And, realistically, Long would find himself in a pretty enviable spot if he had a shot at hiring either of the other two coaches who cracked the bracket’s Final 4.

Eliminated in semifinals:

FILE - In this Oct. 6, 2018, file photo, North Carolina State head coach Dave Doeren reacts during the second half an NCAA college football game against Boston College, in Raleigh, N.C. The Wolfpack are coming off consecutive losses to Clemson and Syracuse entering Saturday's game against Florida State. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)

Jeff Monken – Army head coach

Seth Littrell – North Texas head coach

But now that the pool has been whittled down to the two football coaches who most intrigue the KU football fan base it’s time for you to get this fictionalized contract with your favorite candidate finalized.

Fans have all day Tuesday to vote for the champion, so to speak.

**– Les Miles – Former LSU and Oklahoma State head coach vs. Dave Doeren – N.C. State head coach –**

LES MILES

Miles won 114 games and lost 34 over the course of 11-plus seasons with LSU. He was voted Coach of the Year by the AP in 2011, following his second SEC championship and a 13-0 start to the season. Miles’ Tigers won the national championship in 2007.

His name continues to be the most popular reportedly tied to Long’s search, which is officially in its second week.

Coaching Record Table
Year	School	G	W	L	Pct	AP Pre	AP High	AP Post
2001	Oklahoma State	11	4	7	.364
2002	Oklahoma State	13	8	5	.615
2003	Oklahoma State	13	9	4	.692	24	14
2004	Oklahoma State	12	7	5	.583		16
2005	LSU	13	11	2	.846	5	3	6
2006	LSU	13	11	2	.846	8	3	3
2007	LSU	14	12	2	.857	2	1	1
2008	LSU	13	8	5	.615	7	3
2009	LSU	13	9	4	.692	11	4	17
2010	LSU	13	11	2	.846	21	5	8
2011	LSU	14	13	1	.929	4	1	2
2012	LSU	13	10	3	.769	3	2	14
2013	LSU	13	10	3	.769	12	6	14
2014	LSU	13	8	5	.615	13	8
2015	LSU	12	9	3	.750	14	4	16
2016	LSU	4	2	2	.500	5	5	13
16 Yrs	Overall	197	142	55	.721
4 Yrs	Oklahoma State	49	28	21	.571
12 Yrs	LSU	148	114	34	.770

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 11/11/2018.

DAVE DOEREN

Now in his eighth overall season as a head coach, Doeren has won 63 of 100 games and guided his teams to five bowl appearances — with another one on the way this year.

North Carolina State has won the St. Petersburg Bowl, Independence Bowl and Sun Bowl under Doeren’s watch.

Unlike Miles, of course, Doeren is an active head coach, currently preparing his Wolfpack (6-3, 3-3) for a Saturday matchup with floundering Louisville.

Whether Long considers Doeren a candidate or would seek him out to fill KU’s vacancy is unknown at this time.

Coaching Record Table
Year	School	G	W	L	Pct	AP High	AP Post
2011	Northern Illinois	14	11	3	.786
2012	Northern Illinois	13	12	1	.923	16	22
2013	North Carolina State	12	3	9	.250
2014	North Carolina State	13	8	5	.615
2015	North Carolina State	13	7	6	.538
2016	North Carolina State	13	7	6	.538
2017	North Carolina State	13	9	4	.692	14	23
2018	North Carolina State	9	6	3	.667	16
8 Yrs	Overall	100	63	37	.630
2 Yrs	Northern Illinois	27	23	4	.852
6 Yrs	North Carolina State	73	40	33	.548