Rich Rodriquez Gets Boot From Michigan: Will Les Miles Leave LSU For Alma Mater?

As time grows short and the hour draws nigh for LSU and Texas A&M gear up for battle in this Friday night’s Cotton Bowl, more and more issues seem to keep popping up for LSU.

This time yesterday Rich Rodriquez still had a head coaching position with Michigan.  Then last night, the University of Michigan reversed it’s earlier comments regarding keeping Rodriquez and announced his dismissal.  Athletic director Dave Brandon said the two had an "open, honest and direct exchange", in meeting conducted Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.  "I believe this is the best decision for the future of Michigan football," Brandon said. "We have not achieved at the level that I expect."

Michigan didn’t have any real choice but to release Rodriguez, who had an unenviable 15-22 record.  Without the support of alumni or other university powers from the outset, Rodriquez was doomed from the start.

Possible Replacements

The three names most mentioned would be Jim Harbaugh, currently coaching at Stanford, LSU coach Les Miles or San Diego State coach Brady Hoke.  Miles was the clearly the preferred first choice when Carr retired back in 2007.  The timing just didn’t fit as LSU was playing for both the SEC and BCS championships at the time.  While Miles won 10 games this season his opportunity isn't as good as it was then.  Many have speculation on both sides of the fence.  Miles public statements in the past days have at least given the impression that Miles is happy with where he is.  Other think that, as is normal for most statements, his denials or whatever you want to call his responses to the question, have been weak or lacking a clear indication at best.  Others speculate that Miles secretly wants the Michigan job more than the university wants him.

Hoke, might be the more appealing candidate for Michigan.  In the past couple of years, he has revived the programs at Ball State in 2008, producing a 12-1 record and at San Diego State, where they posted a 9-4 season, and the team’s first winning record in 12 years. The only setback might be that Wolverines fans and alumni might respond similarly to Hoke as they did to Rodriquez because of his career coaching record of 47-50.  Michigan A.D. Dave Brandon may think twice since he would not care to have a repeat of sentiment that erupted when Rodriquez was hired.

Of the three candidates mentioned, Jim Harbaugh is, by the university’s own admission, the first choice and had already been in communication with the Stanford coach.  John Harbaugh, Jim’s brother and coach with the Baltimore Ravens and Dave Brandon both have made statements that they firmly believe the ex-Colts quarterback will be offered a coaching position with an NFL team next season.  Brandon also went on to mention the coach was not really interested in replacing Rodriquez at Michigan.

Getting back to Les Miles, we will keep watch and inform you of any changes regarding Miles’ status.  To date he has not indicated if any contact or conversation has taken place with Michigan, but it’s a sure bet that he will not entertain or answer any questions regarding it until after the Cotton Bowl on Friday night.

To stay on top of this situation be sure to visit Louisiana Sports Rap for all the breaking news for LSU.