According to two outlets, LSU coach Les Miles reportedly told boosters he's departing as the head coach of the Tigers following Saturday's game against Texas A&M.
LSU disagrees.
Per Tiger Rag and NOLA.com, Miles told people at the Gridiron Club meeting that he would not be LSU's coach after Saturday night. While he didn't directly say he was leaving, it was reportedly pretty clear. From NOLA.com:
"He said , 'We're a second family to him and he's going to miss us, he appreciates his real friends, and then he told us good bye,'" the source said. "It was very emotional but in control."
Another source said Miles told the group he "wouldn't be seeing them at the bowl game, he would "always be a Tiger" and "thanks for a great 11 years."
NOLA.com reported Miles, 62, did not stay to answer questions. LSU took to Twitter Friday afternoon to dispute the reports.
The Baton Rouge Advocate also countered them.
Speculation has mounted about Miles' future since a report emerged after the Tigers' loss to Arkansas that the outcome of LSU's final two games against Ole Miss and Texas A&M could determine his fate as coach. LSU lost 38-17 to Ole Miss for its third-straight loss last week.
If LSU decides to move on, Miles would be out despite a massive $15 million buyout. The buyout also doesn't include buyout clauses that would have to be paid to his assistant coaches. It's possible that LSU and Miles could negotiate a smaller, but still incredibly substantial, figure.
Miles has a 110-32 record at LSU in his 11 seasons. With a win on Saturday, LSU moves to 8-3 and could be a candidate for a New Year's Six bowl berth with some craziness among teams ahead of the Tigers in the College Football Playoff rankings.
If LSU parts with Miles, the Tigers won't be casting a wide net for its coaching search. A popular name for the job has been Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher, who is a former LSU offensive coordinator. But Fisher has himself a pretty good job with the Seminoles and would be moving from the ACC to the gauntlet that is the SEC West. Is the job appealing to him? We'll find out pretty quickly if LSU makes a Miles departure official over the weekend.
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