After’s LSU’s second loss of 2016 to Auburn on Saturday, Les Miles and Cam Cameron have been relieved of their duties, the University confirmed Sunday in a news release.
The news came less than 24 hours after LSU’s five-point, 18-13 loss at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.
“Everyone is going to miss him,” senior wide receiver Travin Dural said.
Miles, athletic director Joe Alleva and interim head coach Ed Orgeron announced the decision to the team at a 5 p.m. team meeting on Sunday.
“He was very emotional,” junior safety Jamal Adams said of Miles. “I’m still shocked right now.”
“It’s shocking, but at the same time we understand it’s a business,” junior running back Leonard Fournette said.
Miles’ emotion made the joint decision difficult among athletic director Joe Alleva, LSU’s Board of Supervisors and LSU president F. King Alexander.
“Decisions like this are never easy ones to make,” Alleva said in a news release Sunday evening. “Coach Miles has done a tremendous job here, and he’s been a great ambassador for our University, which makes this even more difficult.”
Miles was expected to host his weekly “Lunch with Les” press conference at 12:30 p.m. today. Orgeron’s introductory press conference will be held at 11: 30 a.m. instead, and Alleva will speak after at 12:30 p.m.
“It’s apparent in evaluating the program through the first month of the season that a change has to be made,” Alleva said. “Our commitment to excellence and competing at the highest level is unwavering, and our goals for the remainder of this season haven’t changed.”
Orgeron, who will assume head coaching duties for the remainder of 2016, will announce LSU’s new offensive coordinator and defensive line coach at the news conference.
“We have an obligation to our student-athletes to put them in the best position to have success on the football field each week, and we have great confidence that coach Orgeron will do just that,” Alleva said.
Miles’ 12th season at LSU ends after only four games, and there is no exact figure known for Miles’ contractual buyout. Miles’ will close his LSU career with 114 wins and 34 losses and a 70-10 record in Tiger Stadium.
Miles was the Southeastern Conference’s former Dean of Coaches, a title given to the longest-tenured coach.
This season was Cameron’s fourth season as LSU’s primary play caller after being appointed LSU’s offensive coordinator on Feb. 15, 2013.
Cameron spoke to NOLA.com after Saturday’s news.
“It was a privilege coaching at LSU,” he said.
Orgeron, formerly the defensive line coach, will immediately assume interim head coaching duties.
“Coach O has the will and the power to bring new energy,” Fournette said.
Orgeron’s son, Cody, who is a quarterback at McNeese State, tweeted that his dad will be LSU’s interim head coach prior to the official announcement.
“I couldn’t be prouder of my dad,” he wrote. “With that being said, my dad is the new interim head coach at LSU.”
Prior to joining LSU’s staff in 2015, Orgeron paced USC to a 6-2 record as interim head coach after Lane Kiffen was fired in 2012-13.
Orgeron was also Ole Miss’ head coach from 2005-07.
“We’re all going to be out there playing for Coach O,” senior center Ethan Pocic said.
LSU head coach Les Miles addressed the media on Monday, Sept. 18, 2016 during Lunch with Les.
