The three figures who are perhaps the most talked about in the LSU Athletic Department are set to make appearances at today’s LSU Board of Supervisors meeting. Football coach Les Miles, new men’s basketball coach Trent Johnson and incoming Athletic Director Joe Alleva are scheduled to attend the meeting. All have pending contracts subject to the Board’s approval. Miles’ proposed contract revision would set his yearly salary at $3.751 million – the highest guaranteed salary of a public university coach in the nation. His proposed salary is $1,000 more than Alabama coach Nick Saban’s salary. Miles’ contract revision would guarantee him the position of the top-paid Southeastern Conference coach if he wins the Bowl Championship Series National Championship. Miles’ previous contract included a clause that required him to become one of the nation’s top-three paid coaches after winning a national championship. But this clause created confusion because of the inability to obtain private universities’ contracts, according to LSU System counsel Ray Lamonica. The revision also increased the amount of liquidated damages the University could owe Miles if his contract is terminated without cause. This amount will increase from $15 million to $18.75 million, pending approval from the Board. The terms of Johnson and Alleva’s contracts were not released by press time. Charles Zewe, System vice president for communications and external affairs, said he expected to have the final salary numbers by early this morning. Alleva, who has been splitting his time between Duke and LSU, does not officially begin his LSU duties until July 1, when outgoing Athletic Director Skip Bertman transitions to an emeritus fundraising role. Johnson, who replaced John Brady, has already moved into his third-floor office of the Athletic Administration building. Stanford Athletic Director Bob Bowlsby told reporters earlier this month he expected LSU to double the salary Johnson earned at Stanford. Johnson reportedly made about $600,000 annually during his four years with Stanford. He compiled an 80-48 overall record with the Cardinal and led his team to a Sweet 16 appearance this past season.
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