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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 7
BY SENATOR DORSEY-COLOMB
COMMENDATIONS. Commends and congratulates Head Coach Les Miles of the
Louisiana State University Fighting Tigers football team for a perfect regular season record
in 2011.
A RESOLUTION1
To commend Les Miles, head coach of the Louisiana State University Fighting Tigers, on2
his 2011 perfect football season, his NCAA Division One Southeastern Conference3
Championship, his distinction as the Associated Press "Coach of the Year," and the4
Bowl Championship Series bid.5
WHEREAS, Coach Les Miles has proved to be a leader of the highest caliber, a6
catalyst who motivates young athletes to work together, to exceed personal expectations, to7
attempt seemingly unattainable goals, to demonstrate an exceptional competitive nature and8
esprit de corps, and to perform as a team made of many cohesive parts; and9
WHEREAS, in 2011, NCAA Division I Collegiate Football was the most formidable10
within the Southeastern Conference, where, as the season neared its end, the top three ranked11
Division I FBS teams in the nation were LSU, Alabama, and Arkansas, respectively; and12
WHEREAS, in Week 11 of the regular season, Coach Miles led the Tigers in what13
was touted in the sports media as "The Game of the Century," as the No. 1 LSU Tigers went14
up against the No. 2 ranked team, the Alabama Crimson Tide, where Les Miles confronted15
Nick Saban, who preceded him as head football coach at LSU and who has become his16
major nemesis in the SEC; and17
WHEREAS, the two teams were so evenly matched that at the end of regulation18 SR NO. 7
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game play, the score was 6-6; however, the Tigers prevailed in overtime play with a field1
goal kick, topping the Tide at 9-6; and2
WHEREAS, Coach Miles and the Fighting Tiger team completed the regular season3
undefeated, 12-0, with a convincing win over the Arkansas Razorbacks and confirmed their4
No. 1 SEC ranking, earning the championship of the Western Division of the SEC, and the5
right to compete against Georgia, the leader in the Eastern Division, on December 3, 2011,6
in Atlanta's Georgia Dome for the SEC Championship; and7
WHEREAS, having won the 2011 SEC Championship title against Georgia,8
Coach Miles focused the remarkable talents and determination of his coaching staff and9
players to an unprecedented perfect winning regular season; the last undefeated season for10
the Tigers, 11-0, was in 1958 when the team included the "Chinese Bandits" and its first11
national championship; and 12
WHEREAS, the BCS National Championship Bowl was set for January 9, 2012, in13
New Orleans, to face Alabama once again; and14
WHEREAS, it was a heart-breaking loss to the Crimson Tide, in particular the15
disappointment felt by so many LSU fans "on their own turf" in the Superdome; and16
WHEREAS, Coach Les Miles owns every play on the field, whether good or bad,17
and in an adversarial pursuit such as coaching football, Coach Miles always relies on his18
own personal merit axiom, that decisions made during the game are ultimately his19
responsibility to do what is best for the team in that moment; and20
WHEREAS, Coach Miles has never varied from this course, no matter what is said21
by hindsight detractors; and22
WHEREAS, Coach Miles has garnered numerous awards through his career and this23
season has added the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year award for the Football Bowl24
Subdivision and the Associated Press Coach of the Year award; and25
WHEREAS, although twenty-five teammates participated on Senior Day, speculation26
has already begun to whip around sports media circles that next year's team composed of an27
LSU roster deep with tremendous young talent along with a bevy of new recruits who have28
signed to LSU that the "Mad Hatter" could possibly have a 2012 football team greater than29
any in the nation; and30 SR NO. 7
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WHEREAS, as the days turn warm and spring practice nears, Les Miles can "taste"1
the grass on the Charles McClendon LSU football practice field and can look forward to2
many more two-a-day sessions under the sun, awaiting the elation of that deafening roar of3
"Go Tigers"; and4
WHEREAS, Coach Miles has led the team in an outstanding season upholding the5
glorious traditions of the Purple and Gold, and all the faithful alumni, students, and fans6
recognize the distinguished honor that the LSU Fighting Tigers have brought to the state of7
Louisiana.8
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana9
does hereby commend and congratulate LSU Head Coach Les Miles for the superb10
undefeated regular season of twelve victories and no losses and an SEC Championship, and11
does hereby recognize his many career successes with the LSU Fighting Tigers football12
team.13
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Coach Les Miles has proved that it is "Great to14
be a Tiger" and best wishes are extended to him for continued success well into the future.15
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to LSU16
Head Coach of the Fighting Tigers Football Team, Les Miles.17
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Suzi Montague.
DIGEST
Dorsey-Colomb SR No. 7
Commends LSU Head Football Coach Les Miles on his perfect regular season in 2011.