From Last Word On College Football, by Mike Loveall
In a surprising move, reports out of Baton Rouge this morning indicate that Louisiana State University has fired Head Coach Les Miles. Additionally, the school has fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. The firings come on the heels of a dramatic loss at Auburn last night. The Tigers appeared to score a last minute touchdown, only to have the score reversed after replay showed that the snap occurred after time had expired.
This is the culmination of a process started last season by Athletic Director Joe Alleva. Alleva indicated he wanted to change directions with the program, and apparently had the backing of several significant boosters, but fan outrage and a negative public relations effort related to financial stress in the state of Louisiana prevented Alleva from making the change at the end of 2015.
The Miles Era
Miles was 114-34 in twelve seasons in Baton Rouge. During his tenure with the Tigers, Miles guided LSU to the 2007 BCS National Championship, two Southeastern Conference Championships (2007, 2011), and three SEC West Division titles. Prior to being hired at LSU, Miles served for four years as the head coach at Oklahoma State. Miles has an overall head coaching record of 141-55 between the two schools.
Financial information, including buyout amounts, haven’t been disclosed as yet, but Miles was making an average salary of $4.3 million per year on a contract extension signed in 2013. There was still three years remaining on the contract. LSU has one of the largest privately supported athletic departments in the nation.
Attention now turns to a potential replacement at LSU and where Miles goes from here. Reports are that defensive line coach Ed Orgeron will be named interim head coach. LSU will then make overtures to several successful coaches, including Jimbo Fisher and Tom Herman, as the season nears an end.
Ross Dellenger of the The Advocate broke the story this morning.
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