LSU coach Les Miles tenure with LSU will be over after Saturday’s game, according to multiple sources and Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports on Thursday.
According to an initial report from Tiger Rag on Friday, Miles implied to the Gridiron Club of LSU boosters, whom he meets with before each game, that Saturday’s game against Texas A&M at 6:30 p.m. would be his last.
In a tweet posted almost two hours later, the LSU football department denied claims that Miles talked about resigning.
Contrary to media reports, #LSU coach Les Miles has not resigned nor did he indicate he was resigning when speaking to booster group today.
— LSU Football (@LSUfball) November 27, 2015
Miles thanked the members of the Gridiron Club for their time together in case his time is up after the Texas A&M game, according to The Advocate.
“I’ve heard as early as Sunday or Monday, Les Miles will be let go as the coach of LSU,” Feldman said on Thursday during a pregame Fox broadcast.
“I’ve heard as early as Sunday or Monday, Les Miles will be let go as the coach of LSU” – @BruceFeldmanCFB just now on Texas/Tech Pregame.
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) November 27, 2015
If Saturday is Miles’ final game, his contract forces a buyout of $15 million if he is fired before Dec. 31, according to his contract.
LSU’s primary option for a replacement coach is Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher, multiple sources told The Daily Reveille.
A former LSU Board of Supervisors member said the current board is calling donors for Miles’ buyout and looking to hire Fisher.
The LSU Athletic Department and Board have not confirmed Fisher’s recruitment, according to multiple sources.
Fisher was the LSU offensive coordinator from 2000-2006, serving under former Tiger coach Nick Saban before Miles took over in 2005.
LSU’s 38-17 loss against Ole Miss on Saturday in Oxford, Mississippi, put more smoke in the ‘fire Miles’ rumor mill. Despite starting the season on seven-game winning streak, Saturday marked the third straight Southeastern Conference loss in 2015.
Thus far, Miles is 110-32 at LSU, and will finish with a winning percentage above .750, which stands at .775 before the A&M game. Miles won two SEC Championships at LSU, three SEC West titles, one national championship in 2007 and will have led LSU to a bowl game each season as coach at LSU.