As we all know, this Les Miles situation has turned into a completely NBC made for network TV shitty movie where some husband slays his wife and then falls in love with her sister in prison. Here's how it all went down...
After Lloyd Carr announced the world's worst kept secret about his retirement, Bill Martin "whittled" his list of 30 down to under 10 names. Miles was one of those. As a result "feelers" (no, not like a priest) were sent out to gauge Les' possible interest in the job. People close to Miles such as his old college roommate at Michigan gave the impression to Michigan that Miles was indeed interested in the position.
At this point, Michigan did what they should have done with respect to LSU...called Skip Bertman and asked if they could have permission to interview Miles. LSU obliged, but asked that it be AFTER the SEC title game. Similar to them asking Nebraska not to comment publicly on Bo Pelini being hired until after the game. Michigan was down with that, in so many words.
At some point, Michigan decided that Lesticles was the guy. If he wanted the job and was willing to work for the pricepoint Michigan deemed acceptable, it was his. How do I know this? Martin sent out letters to all Michigan football alums asking for donations to be used to help buy out Les' contract...the sum of 1.25 million. Naturally, since I'm an asshole, I'm not going to reveal which player gave me this information. That wouldn't be nice. The letter also asked the Michigan family to be on board with such a hire, and that in the week following the SEC title game, a press conference would be held to announce the decision and introduce Les Miles. It listed Monday or Tuesday as probable days for such events. This is very likely where ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit got his information that Michigan was to hire Miles. Bill Martin never contacted Miles or his agent, yet somehow got the brainiac idea that hiring someone without talking to them would be a good idea. This is why I'm worried about my Wolves.
Upon hearing this break, Miles, whom many blame for being distracted last week against Arkansas, decided to call a conference before the SEC title game to squelch rumors. He did just that. On top of that, Skip Bertman announced that he was giving Miles a raise and extension...something unheard of for a guy that just watched his team get hosed out of a national title race. Bertman knew and people close to Miles knew that this would end pretty much with "whoever got to him last." Bertman knew that if Michigan was to interview him next week, it'd be too late. So he had until Monday to figure out how to keep Les. The deal has not been signed, only agreed to in principle. Carlos Boozer somewhere is saying "that doesn't mean shit, Les."
My Take: I think both programs win here. Michigan obviously didn't do much of a thorough coaching search, and now will be forced to. Likewise, LSU, which has been anointed a "stepping stone job" of sorts finally gets a coach as committed as some of their fan base. I think Miles would have been a terrible fit at Michigan. A safe hire, no doubt. Someone capable of running the program and getting the wins, but a guy with poor discipline on the field and a guy that sometimes looks like he lets his coordinators run the show. Michigan needs new ideas, new blood. I think Miles at some point decided that it would be somewhat backstabbing of him to dump LSU after ushering the program through the tenious Katrina months. If Michigan had gotten to Miles formally, I think he would have left, but Miles is a tricky character that seems to just pull things out of his ass based on what he is feeling at that particular second. All in all, a win for both programs.
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