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Report: Les Miles' LSU future still iffy, result vs. A&M doesn't matter
As expected, LSU's loss to Ole Miss has cranked up more discussions about the future of LSU coach Les Miles.
According to NOLA.com, a decision about Miles' job will come soon. The report said "many" of the members of LSU's booster program are ready to move in a different direction.
The source said Miles' future at LSU is not tied to the outcome of the Tigers' game against Texas A&M on Saturday at Tiger Stadium. "It will have no bearing on what we do with him", the source said.
The Tigers, 7-3, lost to Ole Miss 38-17 on Saturday for their third loss in three weeks. LSU was down 24-0 before Brandon Harris threw a touchdown pass.
A report from the Baton Rouge Advocate days before the Ole Miss game said the Tigers' final two games of the season could decide Miles' future. He has a $15 million buyout on his contract and there are also buyouts for his assistant coaches.
The report also said Miles met with LSU officials the week before the Ole Miss game to discuss his job status. A possible retirement after the 2016 season was brought up. Miles is 62 years old.
If the Tigers do part with Miles, the candidate pool will be incredibly thin. When you get rid of a national title-winning coach who reels in top recruiting classes, there aren't many coaches who can succeed him. The NOLA.com report details some names of coaches LSU could be considering.
To that end, representatives of the football program have begun to vet potential replacements for Miles through back channels, the source said, with a preference for an established head coach. Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher is the main target for many foundation members, the source said. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, TCU head coach Gary Patterson and even former NFL coach Jon Gruden have also been mentioned as candidates.
LSU plays Texas A&M on Saturday night. If LSU finishes the season at 8-3, the Tigers will be in line for a very good bowl berth.
For more LSU news, visit Tigerbait.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
