LSU football coach Les Miles’ amended contract is still slated to go before the LSU Board of Supervisors for approval Thursday and Friday, despite some Tuesday reports that the contract might be delayed. Intra-University e-mails revealed efforts to keep Miles and renegotiate his contract went into motion shortly after LSU’s loss to Arkansas on Nov. 23. Athletic Director Skip Bertman corresponded with Chancellor Sean O’Keefe about meeting with Miles’ agent George Bass. “I can [meet anytime] on Wednesday or Thursday,” Bertman wrote. “If we could hold off until Dec. 1, we would know a lot more.” Bertman told The Daily Reveille the reason he wanted to “hold off” was because Miles’ financial benefits could have changed depending on the outcome of the Southeastern Conference Championship on Dec. 1. According to Miles’ contract, an SEC Championship guarantees he become one of the top three highest paid coaches in the conference. O’Keefe told Bertman on Sunday, Nov. 25, that Bass planned to visit the University on Wednesday, Nov. 28. “I’ve checked in with the [Board of Supervisors] leadership, and they are agreeable to hearing what he has in mind and seeing if we can come to terms before the SEC championship game,” O’Keefe wrote in his e-mail. Michigan Athletic Director Bill Martin contacted Bertman at 2:46 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, regarding the head coaching job vacated by Lloyd Carr on Nov. 19. “Skip, I am communicating by e-mail to keep my request confidential,” Martin wrote in an e-mail with the subject “Les Miles.” “Michigan would like permission to speak with Les Miles about the Michigan coaching position after this coming Saturday.” Bertman granted permission to Martin at 11:47 a.m. Wednesday, just hours before his 3:30 p.m. meeting with Bass and O’Keefe. “We tried to reach an agreement then, but we were unable to do so,” Bertman told The Daily Reveille of his meeting with Miles’ agent. Martin then responded Thursday to Bertman to thank him for granting permission. “I want to do nothing to interfere with your season,” Martin wrote. “Let’s chat next week AD to AD; our picture may be a bit clearer.” Bertman told The Daily Reveille he spoke once with Martin using a non-University phone to ensure privacy. “I called him and asked him not to bother the coach until the [SEC] Championship,” Bertman said. The LSU team and athletic administrators flew to Atlanta on Friday morning, and negotiations continued through a teleconference with Bass. Bertman said the parties reached an agreement late Friday. During an 8 a.m. breakfast the day of the SEC Championship, Bertman said Miles told players he would remain LSU’s coach. Just an hour and a half later, players observed ESPN commentator Kirk Herbstreit declare Miles would soon depart for Michigan. “Les was upset, as he should have been,” Bertman said. “It sabotaged the game and took the momentum away from LSU. We had to give the other press conference, and Miles had to address the team again because the players were confused.” Bertman said Martin contacted Bass the Monday after the SEC Championship to confirm Miles had agreed to remain at LSU. “[Martin] called George Bass on Monday and said ‘Is it true? Is he staying?'” Bertman said. “And, of course, George Bass said, ‘Yes,’ and now he’s moving on with the search.” As of late Tuesday, LSU System spokesman Charles Zewe said Miles’ contract had not been filed with the Board. The contract reportedly extends Miles’ deal through 2012 and guarantees at least $2.6 million annually, a significant boost from his current $1.8 million annually. Miles’ contract guarantees a salary within the top trio of college football coaches if he wins the Bowl Championship Series National Championship on Jan. 7. Bertman said the University is working to gather updated salary information for the highest paid coaches in college football. Jerry Shea, Board chairman, said O’Keefe and LSU General Counsel Ray Lamonica were still finalizing the details. Charles Weems, athletic committee member of the Board, said he has not yet seen a draft of the contract but expects the amendment to be introduced Thursday. “The last information I had is that we would consider the amendment on Thursday,” Weems said.
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