Scott Rabalais for July 24

• By SCOTT RABALAIS
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Jul 24, 2008 - Page: 1C - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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HOOVER, Ala. — When he was a boy, Les Miles wanted to be the next Johnny Carson.

That was before football became completely absorbed into his bloodstream, detouring his career path. Today’s he’s the head coach of the reigning BCS national champions hauling in $3.751 million per year, a salary that would make Ed McMahon stand up and say, “Hi-yo!”

Though football is a deadly serious business — just ask Nick Saban — occasionally a Scott Joplin tune starts running through Miles’ head and The Entertainer wants to come out.

Sunday night at a Tiger Tour stop in New Orleans, the subject of LSU’s victory last season over Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide came up. Miles cautioned “not to make too much of that game, as it seems like a lot of teams in Louisiana beat that team.” The reference was to Louisiana-Monroe’s 21-14 upset of the Crimson Faced in Tuscaloosa last year.

Back in Louisiana, Miles’ comment passed by as just another nutty thing Les said. The man clearly loves his zingers, smirking slyly as he makes a playful jab with the needle.

In Alabama, though, you would have thought he had called Bear Bryant a communist. As soon as I landed here Monday in advance of Tuesday’s SWAC media day and flipped on the car radio, the local talk shows were flipping out about what Les said.

The subject followed Miles to SEC Media Days here Wednesday. He was asked about the comment in the main print interview room and each and every of the TV interview sessions he conducted the rest of the afternoon.

Miles insisted he meant no disrespect — just trying to get an amen and a giggle from the congregation. “In front of alumni it’s entertaining and fun,” he said. “A quip should be allowed.”

One man’s joke of course is another man’s insult. Just ask that Dutch cartoonist who made fun of Mohammed — if you could find him.

“I don’t think he meant anything bad,” defensive end Tyson Jackson said after a quick chortle. “He has a lot of charisma. He likes to have fun. I know him and I know he was making a joke.”

Miles had a warning of what was in store for him before he got to Alabama.

“My wife read an article (about the comment) and she said, ‘Par for the course, dear,’” Miles said.

A year ago, Miles was explaining what he thought was an off-the-record comment to a group from WWL radio saying that USC would have an easier road to the BCS title game than LSU because the Trojans play in the Pac-10. Miles won the title but lost the argument since USC couldn’t beat 41-point dog Stanford in its own backyard.