New Orleans Report: Les Miles About to be Gone From LSU

Les Miles apparently has outlived his welcome in Baton Rouge, and the boosters are willing to pony up $15 million to make him go away.

Miles, only the 2nd coach in Bengal Tiger history to win 100 or more games (110-32 in 10 plus years), has amazed and frustrated LSU fans almost from day 1. He has a national championship to his credit and a well as a school-record winning percentage of over 77%.

However, his current problems include an inability to have a QB who can run a modern offense -- sound familiar? -- and of course losing to Alabama (2-7 against the Crimson Tide since the 2007 National championship).

Booster Clubs are the dominant force for most SEC programs, and LSU is no different. The Tiger Athletic Foundation (TAF) apparently has decided that the $15 million buyout is no problem, especially after Miles lost his 3rd straight game of the year Saturday to Mississippi. That is the first time LSU has lost 3 in a row since Gary DiNardo turned the trick in 1999.

According to the report, Miles met with the school and foundation officials last week and realized that the writing was on the wall and he was on his way out.

The New Orleans Times Picayune also reported that LSU had already started the vetting process on finding a replacement. They want an established star so that means the usual suspects - Jimbo Fisher, Gary Patterson, Dabo Swinney, and yes, Jon Gruden.

There are 11 job openings and counting right now in major college football. If Miles is gone, LSU would join Southern Cal at the top of the food chain. Other openings include South Carolina, Virginia Tech and Miami. No doubt there will be a few more.

As a matter of fact, Iowa State fired Paul Rhodes today, which given all the other, better openings, is a curious move at best.