2009 was a major transition year for the Miles era. Following the ‘07 title run, DC Bo Pelini left for a head coaching job and Miles opted to go with internal promotion of Bradley Dale Peveto and Doug Mallory to DC. It proved disastrous, as LSU limped through the worst season of the Miles era in 2008.
Quickly realizing his error, Miles went out and made an impact hire bringing on longtime Tennessee DC John Chavis. Tennessee had fallen down a rung in the final years of Fulmer, but Chavis was as well respected as any DC in the country when Miles brought him to Baton Rouge.