With LSU’s football season ending on Friday night, it was expected that Michigan would soon be in touch with coach Les Miles about its head coaching vacancy. (That is, if contact hadn't already been made through back channels.) Approximately 24 hours after the Tigers’ 41-24 Cotton Bowl victory over Texas A&M, it appears that’s about to happen.
ESPN’s Joe Schad reports that Michigan has expressed interest in speaking with Miles and a meeting is expected to take place soon. Sources tell Schad that the where and when of the meeting hasn’t been finalized yet. But Miles is interested in speaking with athletic director Dave Brandon and would give LSU 24 hours notice before meeting with Michigan.
On Saturday, LSU athletic director Joe Alleva said that Michigan had not yet requested permission to speak with Miles.
“I have not been contacted by anyone from the University of Michigan about Les Miles,” Alleva said. “Les Miles is LSU’s head coach and we are going to do everything we can to keep it that way. He has had great success here and we plan to keep enjoying that success under his leadership.”
That courtesy phone call will likely be coming soon, judging from reports.
Miles has four years remaining on his contract with LSU, paying him $3.75 million per season. However, he can take the job at Michigan with a $1.25 million buyout. Here’s a look at the buyout clause, posted merely to demonstrate that we took the trouble to create a screenshot:
Does Miles have his eyes on returning to his alma mater? See what you think after watching this on-field interview conducted after the Cotton Bowl, in which Miles was asked if he would be back at LSU next year.
After a pause, Miles would only say, “It’s a wonderful place. I love it.”