Reports: LSU officials react quickly to Les Miles' meeting with Michigan
While the rest of the college football world watched Auburn beat Oregon in the national championship game, LSU officials were meeting with coach Les Miles, trying to keep their coach in Baton Rouge.
The Shreveport Times reports that LSU athletic director Joe Alleva and other school officials met with Miles late Monday night following Miles' meeting with Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon.
"LSU officials are talking with coach Miles," LSU associate athletic director Herb Vincent told the paper after 10 p.m. Monday. "They're trying to keep him."
Brandon met with Miles in Baton Rouge on Monday. Television reports said he left town at 7:40 p.m. He declined to comment upon returning to Willow Run Airport Monday night.
It is not known if Miles was offered a contract by Michigan. If so, the New Orleans Times-Picayune wrote that whether Miles will stay or go depends on which side is doing the talking.
The paper reported that Miles felt obligated to meet with Brandon out of respect for his alma mater, but according to two LSU players, Miles' quote to them was: "I'm probably staying."
A high-ranking LSU official, speaking on the request of anonymity, told the Times-Picayune: "Don't worry. He's not leaving."
An ESPN report cited a source close to Miles saying he would accept the job if offered.
Comments
johnnya2
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 2:09 p.m.
@tater Interesting you mention the spread offense. What was the score of that NC game last night? 22 points for the WINNING team. Hardly potent offense. So what REALLY wins championships? Was it the spread offense or Fairley? The Auburn defense was better than the Oregon offense. DEFENSE wins. Look at your history and find out which teams win championships in football and any other sport for that matter. Auburn had a better defense than Oregon. Alabama had a better defense than Texas. Florida had a better defense than Oklahoma. In fact, last season Florida had an offense that was far superior to Alabama's non spread attack. Would you like to see which team won?
a2girl
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 1:35 p.m.
Seriously The OSU? That's a news scoop?
marlon glenn
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 1:03 p.m.
Do not know if I have ever seen a university struggle so much to find a head coach. Does not seem to matter if it is Bill Martin or the Wise One a.k.a David Brandon. Just seems very odd to me...
The OSU
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 1:01 p.m.
NEWS FLASH: Informed sources close to "The Vest" say he plans to beat "that school up north" regardless of their coaching decision. There's a news scoop you can go to the bank on! Go Bucks! Beat Michigan!
missionbrazil
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 1 p.m.
Lorain "Back to Miles, he should set up a 'succession plan', either with Hoke, Trgovac, or his current 'brain trust', so that this program will NOT slip again, as it did when Carr was here. Bo had Mo, Carr had 'nobody'. And the result has been mediocacy since 2001." You are way off base... LC had recommendations for who should be his successor and he was ignored. Here is an excerpt from Mitch Albom's article; HE is reporting it correctly, not you: "As Michigan's athletic director, Martin got it all wrong. Fans were screaming for a new approach. Martin should have known better. He should have realized part of the reason Michigan is the winningest football program in history is that it doesn't listen to its angriest fans, it listens to itself, its history, its legacy. Instead, Martin, playing the more popular card, ignored Lloyd Carr's suggestions, moved away from Carr's staff or even his recommendations, and went after the hot new thing, which is the kind of behavior most schools exhibit. And it explains why most schools don't stay on top for very long." "The continuity of the Bo-Mo-Lloyd daisy chain has been shattered. From coaching staff to support people to players with younger brothers, it all went away several years ago..." Please stick to commenting and not trying to rewrite history.
Blu-dogg97
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:49 p.m.
Lorraine: he's not coming!!
marlon glenn
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:48 p.m.
The Michigan job does not have "cache". It appears they will have to settle for the Lloyd Carr assistant. Do not worry, the spin machine will be in full effect on how this is the "right" hire. Yeah...sure it is. We will see how great it is once the trouncings at the hands of OSU continue. I am sure the Buckeyes LOVE the idea of seeing BH walking the sidelines. 7-5; 8-4; 9-3 here we come. A return to the "glory days" of UM football! :)
Lorain Steelmen
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:44 p.m.
I think Tulsa Tom is correct in his post. Miles would only be as successful, as his ability to recruit top notch talent. Further, I would add that Miles, or more accurately, his OC, is willing to mix it up on offense. While he may not be totally 'spread', he is not totally 'three yards and a cloud of astro-turf'. Having said that, a 'name' like Miles will help to hold onto the DRob's out there, and maybe attract kids like Hart, who is looking at Alabama. When Miles comes in, DB will need to bring in Miles' brain trust, both the DC and OC, as well as other key coaches. (By the way, these guys are NOT 'michigan men') Perhaps the biggest mistake RR made was not bringing Bill Stewart, and Casteel(sp) with him. Back to Miles, he should set up a 'succession plan', either with Hoke, Trgovac, or his current 'brain trust', so that this program will NOT slip again, as it did when Carr was here. Bo had Mo, Carr had 'nobody'. And the result has been mediocacy since 2001. Miles brings passion, and toughness. But he lacks youth. If UM wants to play with the big boys, it will need to duplicate Miles' strong charactistics. I have been turned off by the country club, entitlement atmosphere, of Lloyd Carr. In the end, even though Miles gets the HC job, the health of the program will rest with people like Hoke, Trgovac, or Miles' people. (WHo must be converted to Michigan Men.) Friends, we are a long way from the goal. I did not think RR was a perfect choice, but wanted him here, to finish the project. We must hold Miles etal, accountable. I want him to succeed. But to do that he must restore the 'Bo cutlure', and remove the 'Carr culture'. RR tried, and he was villified. It won't be easy for Miles either.
bigfella
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:43 p.m.
I thought DB was supposed to be the one who gets UM out of this mess?? It seems to me all he is doing is being a prop to get his fellow "michigan men" more money at their current jobs or the nfl. this is an absolute joke. it is as official as all the erroneous reports we've heard over the last week, michigan has now gone the way of notre dame...embarassing...DB is no better than Bill martin....go blue?
Blu-dogg97
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:42 p.m.
ESPN sport center at 12:39 just stated that Miles,told LSU he is staying at the Bayou...Miles said he had serious talks with BD,but decided to stay.. So we move on!! GO BLUE!!..
ecmichman
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:41 p.m.
This is the point where BM panicked three years ago. Just received two "No" responses and now on option C. RR left this program in a very unattractive state of disarray. Let's hope it turns out better this time.
RudeJude
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:34 p.m.
@ D21, what's with the hate for Dave Brandon? He's kept his word thus far and seems to be handling a very difficult situation well. He's very quiet about his search, but it seems obvious he is working hard to find the right coach for Michigan. This is Dave Brandon's second major decision as AD at Michigan, both coming within a week's time. He's not vacationing off the Florida Keys during the search like Bill Martin did either. It's still very uncertain if Miles is going to be hired. I think should hold off the judgment and let him hire someone before you call for his head. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Tressel wasn't hired until January 17th and was winning the title in his second season. Let's not panic and make an already touch situation tougher.
ecmichman
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:33 p.m.
Looks like Les used U-M as contract leverage again. More power to him. Time to move on.
missionbrazil
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:33 p.m.
tater "Sadly, though, by hiring any non-spread candidate, Brandon is basically saying, "I don't want to be like Oregon or Auburn and get to the National Championship game anytime soon..." Once again last night proved that good defenses can shut down the spread, or at least stop it from scoring alot of points (just like when we played Miss. St., OSU, Wiscy, MSU,...) tulsatom "However, when he was at Okla State from 2001-2004, which was a school with respectable talent but not great talent, he was 28-21 over four years with a 16-16 conferecne record. Okla State always gets second best talent in Oklahoma to OU and that's why he didn't do as well there." I normally agree with you, but this time there is more than what you are saying. Between 1990 and 2000 Ok. State had only 1 winning season, and the year before LM they were 3-8 and 1-7 in the conference. The first year LM was there they were only 4-7, but they beat Oklahoma, the defensing national champs. Then they improved to 8-5 and then 9-4. In his 4 years they beat OK. twice. LM brought a big upturn in a program that was not very good for a long time. Like JH's story at Stanford, there is more to it than just the overall record.
D21
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:33 p.m.
I like the coaching ability of Les but not his overall character that isn't conducive to being a Michigan Man as he is mostly a Gordon Gekko.
D21
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:28 p.m.
Yay! Les is staying put at LSU. Yay!
GB in Blacksburg
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:28 p.m.
Hmmm.... http://twitter.com/WAFB
Jackson
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:27 p.m.
Herm Edwards is the Answer...Great Motivator and who could resist him as a recruiter...Sign him up.
D21
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:27 p.m.
Yay! Les is staying put at LSU. http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2011/01/michigans_courtship_of_lsu_foo.html Yay!
missionbrazil
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:20 p.m.
NoBowl4Blue brought up a good point on another thread, that LM could probably get more years on a contract than at LSU. This is probably true. He was on the "hot seat" and being bashed by many LSU fans right before this season (even though he has done well at LSU the past 6 season). There were several articles before the start of this season about LM being on the "hot seat" at LSU because they didn't finish ranked in 2008 and "only" finished 17th in 2009 (8-5 and 9-4 seasons). The talk has quieted down for now, because they finished 11-2 this year with a solid bowl win. This could be a factor in his decision about whether to come to UM. One other thing about these articles... some players were interviewed and talked about LM: Cornerback Patrick Peterson: "Hot seat? That's a strong word. We have so much confidence in Coach Miles. I mean we love Coach Miles as our coach. As a player and a team, we just have to play better to defend him." QB Jordan Jefferson: "I knew the question was going to come, but we're going to keep him off the hot seat. There's not going to be any hot seat for Les Miles. We've been working too hard to come into the season and lose four or five. We don't see that coming this year. We're playing for him. We're playing for the state of Louisiana. We're playing for this school."
azwolverine
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:20 p.m.
Les would win for UM, bottom line. DB has to offer him the job, as he is the best coach possible for UM at this time. If, however, he turns down the job and stays at LSU, Brandon will then do well to offer the job to Hoke. Hoke is not a moron, he will bring in top assistants to help him get the job done. He will not bring in his 'homies' who have no idea how to coach. He will bring in the best because he gets it and he wants to beat OSU and Co. as badly as anyone...and he knows what it takes to do it. I want Les, first and foremost and would be upset if DB did not try hard to get him. However, if he's not coming, I will throw my full support to Hoke, a coach who will give his last drop of blood to make Michigan champions again.
heartbreakM
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:19 p.m.
Thanks LSU-TIGER. I hope he comes home, but if not, then we are all pretty jealous, well except for the first poster on this discussion. We will know soon, but I personally think he does not come back to Michigan at this point. And Macabre: Great post (as usual)
RCFoster
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:18 p.m.
Man, this is really playing out like some kind of soap opera, LSU officials showing up after the suitors for Miles leaves. I'm not sure who to believe after reading the comments from the LSU side. Also, the fact that ESPN has not been accurate with any of their reports going back to three years ago makes me think that Les is staying.
Ddipiazza
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:11 p.m.
Reports coming out of the State of LA that Les Miles will remain the Head Coach at LSU.
LSU-TIGER
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:11 p.m.
If you are lucky enough to get Les Miles as your coach you will be getting a fine coach. He will not embarrass your university, players will go to class and not get arrested and you will win games. He will bring to your school GREAT assistant coaches. He is a great recruiter. He understands the dynamics of big games LSU-Alabama (UM-OSU) and always has his team well prepared. On the flip side at times you will think he is the dumbest person you have ever seen and you will question his game calling. But in the end you will realize he wins. I hope he stays in Baton Rouge. Either way I wish "y'all" the best. GO BLUE beat Ohio! LSU-TIGER
Blu-n-Tpa
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:09 p.m.
All of this "he said, he said" is blank talk. Polite gibberish and glad-handing. LSU is on record, for what it's worth, of NOT having any additional funds available to pay LM. Today's coaches and ADs know lawyer-ese and non-speak as well as anybody. Maybe, probably, comfortable, etc are just windowdressing words. Flying across the country means something. DB knows it and so does LM and LSU. What kind of offense won last nights NC? Anybody? Well almost anybody? The answer is DEFENSE won last night's game, with the help of a kicker. Geez, wouldn't that be a nice addition to the team. DB, go get our new HC and get it right!
Macabre Sunset
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:06 p.m.
Wins per Season: Carr 9.4, Rodriguez 5.0 Points Scored per Game: Carr 28.7 (stale old offense, apparently), Rodriguez 27.6 Points Allowed per Game: Carr 18.3 (stale old defense?), Rodriguez 30.7 Record versus Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State: Carr 25-12, Rodriguez 0-9 And yet there are people who call themselves Michigan fans who think Rodriguez had the capability of improving the team. More likely, they live in East Lansing or Columbus, and just like trolling here when we're down. We need a new coach who understands the traditions here and knows football. We need a coach, not a guardian of one gimmick. We need someone who coaches players, not specific systems. If Les Miles is the coach, go get him. Rodriguez obviously wasn't.
heartbreakM
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:05 p.m.
Well, with all the spread talk and its supposed superiority, Oregon sure did not score much last night nor did they execute, block, catch well. Their defense kept them in that game. defense wins championships. Show me a championship recently in which the team D was poor to middling. Florida beat OSu a few years ago because their D smothered a Ginn-less OSu offense and kept Smith in check.
Brian
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 12:01 p.m.
Umm, Texas, Florida, the Sooners and FSU all were spread championship teams
D21
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:51 a.m.
His heart (Les) is set on $$$ than coaching UM. Brandon, stop this insanity and hire Hoke now.
Blu-n-Tpa
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:49 a.m.
PnLk/mashtaters If anything the last so-called coached taught us the signs of bad coaching so well that it wont take more than two years to know failure when we see it. If the team lacks fundamentals, a kicking game and/or special teams play, has a inconsistant offense and a rollover "D" then we know two years is enough. If two thirds of the team show no progress or if it gets worse two years running, then cut the cord and start over. 4-5 years would be a waste AND a waste of time. I don't think this team will need your time frame. You want it to be bad so you can feel better about your man-crush being canned. These guys here, now, want to get better and they will with improved teaching. Whoever is the new HC will bring a better set of coaches with him, (not the hangers-on that some of the past staff was made up of) and that will lead to better performance on the field this year. PnLk, you do realize that given your 4-5 year time frame, there wont be a single player left from the "error" just past? Improved coaching means NO DROPOFF record-wise and improved competition on the field with performance. You guys will just have to be unhappy with better football at Michigan. Too bad for you. I find it amazing that the "boyout king" will make as much money NOT COACHING at Michigan this year as he did "COACHING" Michigan last year. And equally amazing is I'm happy with that. So that makes me a "hater" I guess.
The1Cool
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:49 a.m.
@Jason How is Miles dishonest in saying he is comfortable at LSU and "probably" will stay? Are you looking for a reason to not like Les Miles? You know what "probably" means, right? Not trying to be rude but it's ridiculous that you'd refer to those statements as being dishonest if he comes to Michigan.
D21
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:47 a.m.
Like I had said several times earlier, Les is using UM to pry more $$$ outta of LSU. Look at these quotes: Meanwhile, USA Today was reporting that LSU athletic director Joe Alleva was meeting with Miles late Monday night to try to persuade him to stay in Baton Rouge. FACT: "LSU officials are talking with Coach Miles," associate athletic director Herb Vincent said. "They're trying to keep him." FACT or MYTH: "There's a real comfort with my family here in Baton Rouge. I think it's best left that way and I don't know that there's anything more to say. -- Les Miles FACT: Hoke Is It. FACT: Miles is a drama queen. FACT: Brandon is doing this the wrong way. FACT: UM needs to find a new AD.
BornInA2
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:42 a.m.
@tater: Dude, you really ought to stick to facts as your predictions about the future have been consistently wildly inaccurate. I'd gladly take 30+ consecutive years of bowl games and winning seasons over a one-year blip like Oregon just had. Or severe NCAA sanctions like Auburn has had. Consistently winning with accountability and integrity is what I'd like to see. Beat Ohio State and win the Big 10 championship first. Anything else is icing on the cake. Beat Ohio State. Beat Ohio State.
David Vande Bunte
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:41 a.m.
It is exactly this sort of contradictory information that gives us reason to never assume anything. I brought this up in one of the many Jim Harbaugh articles too...There are so many different "sources close to the situation" who offer conflicting rumors, that we need to be careful about getting sucked into whatever the latest rumor is. You would think we would have learned by now...after all the Les Miles rumors in 2007, with what E$PN did with the whole LeBron thing, we should know better. I won't believe that Les Miles is coming to Michigan until I see something either from him or the University indicating he has signed on the dotted line. I won't believe Les Miles is truly staying at LSU until I see something official that states it as well. More often than not, those "sources close to the situation" are full of rubbish, and don't actually have a clue what they are talking about. When you have 10 sources saying 10 different things, one source may end up being right, but that means 9 others will have been wrong. When Michigan announces Les Miles as the new head coach, I will believe it. Not before. Essentially, until something "official" happens, its all just hearsay and innuendo.
michboy40
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:41 a.m.
No doubt LSU will scramble, and they will make it VERY dificult for Les to say yes to DB. I hope DB is being a ball buster behind the scenes because LSU will do whatever they have to do. I will take Les and be happy, so get it done! Go Blue
BlueFan62
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:33 a.m.
Michigan better hire someone soon. According to rivals.com, Michigan's recruiting class is ranked 37th with only 12 commits. Time is a wastin!
heartbreakM
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:30 a.m.
I don't understand AA.com. They removed my response to tater twice. I questioned how he can be so negative to LC and DB yet called us all trolls for years. Bottom line is that if Miles does not work out, hopefully whoever we get will look at last night's game and realize that offense may sell tix but defense wins championships.
tulsatom
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:24 a.m.
I like Miles but it won't be the end of the world if he doesn't come to Ann Arbor. In looking at his record, he has had more success when he has a lot of talent to work with as is the case now at LSU. Each year Louisiana high school all-stars play Texas all-stars and hold their own with them, which is saying alot about the talent in Louisiana. He is a very good recruiter, which is a plus. However, when he was at Okla State from 2001-2004, which was a school with respectable talent but not great talent, he was 28-21 over four years with a 16-16 conferecne record. Okla State always gets second best talent in Oklahoma to OU and that's why he didn't do as well there. If he comes to U-M he will need to be able to recruit the south well plus beat Dantonio and Tressel for midwestern talent or else he won't be able to bring greatness to Ann Arbor like the people who only see what he's done at LSU are clamoring for.
Joe
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:08 a.m.
Jason...go back and look at RR's comments about WVU less that a year before he snuck off to Toledo and then brought his show to A2, or what Nick Saban said before he left the Dolphins to go to Bama before you condemn LM for what he is saying. I'm sure that there are lots of other examples out there, but those are the two that come to my mind.
LP
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:02 a.m.
Dear University of Michigan: We're the most passionate fans you'll find (which is why 50% of us bashed Les the first half of this season), and we're all crazy as hell (I'm eating grass as we speak), so Les fits in real nice here. Please don't take him away.
Joe
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11 a.m.
BigW...Are you saying that tater's argument that the only way to get to the NC game is through the use of the spread is wrong? Maybe the BCS needs to take the crystal away from Alabama, Florida (twice), LSU (twice), Texas, Ohio State, Miami, Fla, Oklahoma, Florida State and Tennessee. If memory serves me correctly, none of them ran the spread. I guess they just used dumb, boring good coaching!
Jason
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 10:51 a.m.
What Brandon has said is that he wants to get back to winning B1G TEN championships. There's no way that UM can be a national champion without first winning the B1G TEN. Miles has shown that his teams can compete in the SEC, which now boasts a national champion. I think that this whole thing is a mess, and IF Miles is named as the next coach, I'll have a little bit of a bad taste in my mouth because of the dishonesty in saying to so many folks that he's comfortable at LSU and probably will stay. But if he's named, I think it will be a good choice, which hopefully we will enjoy for many years to come. GO BLUE!
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 10:50 a.m.
Let's not forget, I've heard many of you say that RR left the cupboard bare for the next coach.
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 10:48 a.m.
I suspect 4-5 years before we climb back to the top of the Big 10. We've tarnished this recruiting year already, that's obvious, second, if we get Les we're starting a system from scratch and we don't know how many current players will stay such as DR to say the least. If we get Les I will not throw him away if after 3 years he has only average teams. Whomever we get we've got to give him at least 5 years and I suspect DB will after the last debacle.
Matt
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 10:46 a.m.
hmm, it seems to me that last night signified the strength of a stout defense against the spread. Auburn's offense is something I envision Devin Gardner running to a T in a few years if Miles is around.
Blu-n-Tpa
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 10:43 a.m.
This is like watching a tennis match. My neck is starting to hurt. I have to think that DB had a very good feeling about LM before jumping in a jet and flying to LA. But he has to follow up on it because the simple fact is LM's in the best choice available to Michigan. Still it take two to make a deal and both sides have to agree or it's a no go. I think he's coming and LSU is just putting up a good front, as you would expect. (If this doesn't end with LM in a block maize "M" hat soon, then D-21 can say, "Told you so, Told you so, it's BH!!" And, I'd be fine with that also.) Either way the new coach at Michigan will be a vast improvement over the last guy and nearly everybody can agree with that. So DB, go get us a new HC and do it right. Go Blue!
BigWolverine13
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 10:42 a.m.
Winning is not based on using some system. Good coaches win by attracting, instructing and motivating good athletes.
XTR
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 10:35 a.m.
Tater - you are one negative dude. UM and Bill Martin did try to get an outsider and the spread to Ann Arbor 3 years ago and it did not work. The result were all negative records. Lloyd Carr looked like a handsome gigolo grandpa because of RR. Give another man a chance to show his stuff. If the new guy is the same as RR in the 3rd season, you can complain. lol!