Les Miles settling with LSU hints at return to coaching in 2019
Les Miles and LSU have reached agreement on an accelerated buyout, so the door is wide open for him to take a new job.
All signs point to Les Miles returning to coaching next season.
On Thursday, LSU announced agreement on a one-time, $1.5 million lump sum payment to Miles. He was still owed $6.5 million in guaranteed salary, so he’s leaving $5 million on the table in a virtual instant after several weeks of talks. That’s something you don’t do unless you will be replacing at least a substantial chunk of that money.
Miles was fired as LSU coach in September of 2016. His buyout arrangement was set to go through 2023 via monthly installments, surely subject to offset based on his taking another coaching job. There have been plenty of rumors attaching Miles to job openings over the last couple coaching cycles, and it happened quickly again this year when Kansas announced the dismissal of David Beaty effective at season’s end.
LSU athletic director Joe Alleva acknowledged a mutual desire to fully move on.
"It’s time for both parties to move forward,””One of the challenges of the buyout that was in place was there just wasn’t a lot of incentive to move on to other things. We were looking to provide that and Coach Miles and his representatives also were ready. It was a mutually agreed upon goal and a very positive process from beginning to end."
Miles has deep ties to Kansas athletic director Jeff Long, dating back to their time together at Michigan in the late 80s and early 90s. Miles is rumored to have already spoken to Long about the Kansas job, but he may have a couple other options to use as leverage.
A report this week suggested Colorado will part with Mike MacIntyre after the season, and if Jeff Brohm jumps to Louisville after Bobby Petrino’s dismissal Purdue would have an opening. Miles was mentioned as a Purdue candidate before they hired Brohm two years ago.
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It would not be surprising if Miles has already agreed to the loose parameters of a contract with Kansas, with the understanding he’s free to pursue other opportunities should they come until the deal can be official. Wherever he lands, Miles has a great chance to be back on a college sideline next fall after two seasons out. The accelerated buyout with LSU practically seals it for him to move forward with a new opportunity.