Anyone who has ever been to Baton Rouge knows that it is a nice place, a different kind place with some of the greatest food & football in the world. But, would you turn down $27,500,000 to stay there? LSU football coach Les Miles just did!
Earlier this week Nola.com’s Jim Kleinpeter informed us, “LSU head coach Les Miles has reportedly been offered a five-year, $27.5 million deal to take over the reins at Arkansas. Arkansas has made “serious offer” to Les Miles and Miles’ agent is meeting with LSU AD Joe Alleva”.
Avid Tiger Fans did not really ever think that there was a serious chance that Les would actually abandon them for the wilds of Arkansas. I mean, have you ever been to Fayetteville? Besides, there is no Gumbo there, no crawfish! And who in the world would trade a beautiful 600 pound Tiger for a Razorback Hog???
Miles, who became the second-winningest coach in Tiger football history during the 2012 season, will receive an increase in salary and a 7 year contract extension following LSU’s bowl appearance this year, announced LSU Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Joe Alleva.
“Les Miles is one of the premier coaches in the country and has LSU in contention for championships year in and year out,” Alleva said. “Les Miles has made a commitment to LSU and LSU is solidifying its commitment to Les Miles.”
The 2011 National Coach of the Year, Miles has an eight-year record of 85-20 at LSU going into its 2012 bowl game. He has won .810 percent of his games since coming to Baton Rouge in 2005. He has led LSU to four top five finishes, two Southeastern Conference titles and the BCS National Championship in 2007.
Also noteworthy, for two years in a row now LSU has posted the second best Graduation Success Rate in the SEC, trailing only Vanderbilt.
“The coaching business is a competitive one and it is important to compensate our coach for his accomplishments and his worth,” Alleva said. “Les has not received a pay increase since his salary was automatically elevated following our national championship in 2007 yet he has continued to keep LSU on the national stage.
Miles made one of the most inspired, craziest, over the top post game interviews in the history of televised sports after LSU beat Ole Miss in a barn burner of a game played in Baton Rouge on Saturday November 17.
His genuine enthusiasm was contagious. Hats off to the Mad Hatter!
