In the beginning…

LSU’s first kickoff of the season feels like an annual renewal of the spirit of Baton Rouge, a rebirth of one of the central and vibrant past-times that make our city great. Saturday nights—and days—inside and around Tiger Stadium have always been about more than football. They are about friends and family and memories made over the likes of a hoarse-throated sing-a-long, a black pot of jambalaya shared a few dozen ways, or a pulse-pounding, game-winning touchdown.

With the next 50 pages, this 2014 edition of Tiger Pride honors those moments by celebrating the essence of LSU fandom and offering inside looks at the players, the cheerleaders, the behind-the-scenes go-getters, the tailgate masters and more that make us all want to stand right up and roar.

We know him as LSU’s successful head coach. Others think of him as the guy who eats grass and rappels from downtown high-rises.

With his “what will he say next” personality, it has been nothing but fun watching Les Miles through the years. The coach’s press conferences are always quotable, and he’s displayed plenty of charisma and some acting chops, too.

Later this year he can be seen in the New Orleans-shot football drama When the Game Stands Tall. Here’s a short list of other commercial appearances that hint at Miles’ bright future on screen.

1. Cox Communcations: In this TV spot Miles directs customer service representatives as they get his television set just right for a game.

2. ESPN College Gameday: In a self-depricating appearance, Miles suggests that ESPN anchors Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit try eating some grass to improve their show.

3. EA Sports: Miles’ greatest moment on camera finds Mike the Tiger playing NCAA Football 13 as LSU, but with Robert Griffin III as quarterback, poking some fun at the team’s turbulence at the position. “You were a son to me, a Tiger son—put some pants on,” Miles quips with a Saturday Night Live-worthy delivery.

4. It Must Have Been the Shoes: This short film, made as a thanks for a pair of Converse shoes SportsCenter anchor Scott Van Pelt gave to Miles, features the coach playing a pick-up game of basketball. The highlights are Miles’ wicked rejection of young daughter Macy’s jump shot and his daring to don a pair of scant, thigh-baring shorts.