Les Miles Smart to Spurn Michigan Reports and Show Commitment to LSU

LSU Tigers head football coach Les Miles is one of the most recognizable names in college football and a staple on the rumor mill every time a coaching position opens up with the Michigan Wolverines.

After Brady Hoke was fired as the head coach of Michigan earlier this month, Sam Webb of Scout.com reported that school officials had reached out to Miles through his agent, George Bass.

Following a practice Monday, Miles spoke to reporters, including Jim Kleinpeter of The Times-Picayune, about receiving interest from the Wolverines, and he adamantly denied contact between the school, himself or his agent.

Despite Michigan possibly making another push to hire Miles—the program tried twice in the past to no avail, according to Nick Baumgardner of MLive.com—the veteran coach is smart to stay in Louisiana and try to win another national championship.

While there is no questioning Miles’ ties to the Wolverines as both a player and a coach, he has become a hero at LSU and has reached prominence due to his success with the Tigers. In 10 seasons with the school, Miles has reached two BCS title games and amassed an impressive 103-28 record.

At 61 years old, Miles would have to start from the ground up in Michigan. The program likely needs at least five years before it is a legitimate contender, and that is a very optimistic projection. The Tigers already have a strong core of players, and several more years of elite recruiting should bring LSU back to national prominence.

Miles spoke to Baumgardner about his players, saying, "I enjoy the players, these guys I'm capable of coaching. There's a tradition and a culture here we've kind of established. The young men that come in here really enjoy stepping into this room and being a part of that culture."

It likely wouldn’t be about the money, either. Miles is already making a staggering $4.3 million a year, according to Baumgardner, as opposed to the $2.8 million per year that Hoke was making before he was fired. Michigan would likely open the wallet to pay Miles what he wants, but LSU has proven it would do the same.

The competition is tougher in the SEC, but Miles has always been focused on accomplishing the tasks placed in front of him. After his team went 8-4 this season and 4-4 in the conference, there is still plenty of work to do with the Tigers.

Becoming the head coach at Michigan would bring Miles’ career full circle and would be a memorable moment for college football fans, but he is better off staying with LSU. If winning another national championship is the ultimate goal, he has a better chance with the Tigers.

*Stats via ESPN.com.