Les Miles is still rooting for the Tigers.
In his first public appearance since being informed of LSU’s decision in a face-to-face meeting with LSU athletic director Joe Alleva on Sunday, Miles was asked if he would do anything differently, now, when he was Tigers’ head man.
“I always review things,” Miles said on The Dan Patrick Show on NBC Sports Network. “I gave us a chance to win the game, so, to defend myself, that’s what I did.”
Miles, if he could change anything, said he would have back-to-back calls ready instead of huddling on the final drive in LSU’s 18-13 loss at Auburn.
So what’s next for Miles?
“I don’t golf. I don’t play tennis,” Miles said. “I enjoy shooting a gun, not necessarily at animals. I play cards, but not necessarily well.”
Miles said he hopes to spend this Saturday at North Carolina and Florida this weekend to watch his son, Manny, while continuing to cheer for LSU from afar.
Miles said he appreciated the brief minutes he had with LSU’s team before officially departing as interim head coach Ed Orgeron was introduced in the new position to the team shortly thereafter on Sunday evening.
“I’m for the Tigers,” Miles said.
Miles, though, did have advice for Orgeron as he assumed Miles’ former role.
Orgeron will be announced as LSU’s interim head coach at 12:30 p.m. today and Alleva will speak after the Larose native speaks for the first time as head coach.
“How fortunate you are,” Miles said he would tell the former defensive line coach today. “Expect the best. That’s who you’re coaching, that’s who you represent.
“They deserve the best and I think Ed Orgeron will do a great job for them,” Miles said.
Miles said he does expect to be involved with coaching in some way, although he’s unsure how that may be as of Monday morning. Miles suggested he is interested in coaching again.
“If you’re a competitive man and enjoy competition, this job is a joy,” he said. “I would have a difficult time not being involved in the game and to coach.”
Looking back, less than 24 hours after being relieved of his duties along with former offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, Miles had only praising sentiments toward LSU.
“I’ve had a great run at LSU and enjoyed myself,” the 11-year, four-game coach at LSU said.