Les Miles Acknowledged He May Be Coaching Last Game At LSU [UPDATE]
By Ty Duffy
LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles is expected to be fired following the Texas A&M game on Saturday. Per multiple reports, Miles confirmed the news to boosters at a Gridiron Club meeting.
Les Miles told the LSU Gridiron Club booster group on Friday that Saturday will be his last game, according to someone at the meeting.
— Glenn Guilbeau (@LSUBeatTweet) November 27, 2015
Here's our story, screen shot style. Still working on servers. pic.twitter.com/UruPJWF8x2
— Tiger Rag (@Tiger_Rag) November 27, 2015
According to The Times-Picayune, Miles did not use the exact words but said “good bye” to fans after “a great 11 years.”
"“He said , ‘We’re a second family to him and he’s going to miss us, he appreciates his real friends, and then he told us good bye,'” the source said. “It was very emotional but in control.” Another source said Miles told the group he “wouldn’t be seeing them at the bowl game, he would “always be a Tiger” and “thanks for a great 11 years.”"
Miles is 110-32 over 11 seasons with the Tigers, with two SEC Championships and a national title. If LSU lets him go before Dec. 31, the Tigers will owe Miles a $15m buyout. How this was handled suggests college football is becoming a different sport. Nine-figure revenues will do that.
UPDATE: It seems we have an anonymous source interpretation battle. Ross Dellenger is reporting Miles did not explicitly acknowledge Saturday would be his last game and has not been told anything officially.
Two sources who spoke directly to Les Miles say he in no way indicated today that this would be his last game.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 27, 2015
"Heck no," Miles said#LSU
Les Miles, unsure of his future, expressed that to Gridiron members, telling them thanks for everything if #LSU decides to part ways.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 27, 2015
As we've reported, #LSU AD Joe Alleva has still told Miles nothing about his job status.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 27, 2015
Miles is renowned for not using precise diction. It’s possible reasonable people had different interpretations of what Miles said. Whether Miles confirmed, suggested, or strongly implied, his departure seems like a fait accompli.