If former LSU head coach Les Miles has his way, he'll be back on the sidelines in no time. That's at least what his daughter, Smacker Miles, told Aaron Suttles of TIDE 102.9, per The Advocate:
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"I'm really trying to convince him to do media now," she said. "I would really love to work with him, but I think he still really wants to coach."
After finishing up her career at the University of Texas at Austin, Smacker Miles is reportedly pursuing a journalism career and was in attendance at SEC Media Days.
Les Miles has been out of a job since late September 2016 and, in some ways, that is bizarre. His entire exit as the head coach of the LSU Tigers was strange in nature and, given Miles' track record, his unemployment for the 2017 college football season is also unusual.
What the odds say
With that as the backdrop, online sportsbook Bookmaker.eu (via SportsLine) released odds on what Miles' next occupation will be and they are making one avenue a pretty significant favorite.
- NCAA Coach -350 (risk $350 to gain $100)
- Media Analyst +250 (risk $100 to gain $250)
- No Football Job +1500 (risk $100 to gain $1500)
- NFL Coach +3500 (risk $100 to gain $3500)
It is important to note that these odds are for 2018 but it seems that the projection believes strongly that Miles will be on a college football sideline. That does not come as a surprise given his lengthy track record of success at both Oklahoma State and LSU but it would take both Miles being willing to take a job and a program jumping at the change to add a talent like his to the mix.
A move such as this could happen at any time, as evidenced by the fact that Miles was removed in the middle of last season. Until it happens, though, you can wager on it if you dare.
Coaching speculation
After Les Miles' nearly 12-year run at LSU came to an end during the middle of the regular season in 2016, speculation regarding his next stop began almost immediately.
Miles was fired after LSU's 18-13 loss at Auburn in September, and many wondered whether the 63-year-old Miles would want to coach again or if he'd prefer a career as an analyst.
Miles was a candidate for jobs at Houston, Western Michigan and Purdue, but after not getting those jobs it was apparent he would have to settle for being a member of the media next season. However, after a speaking engagement at the University of Nebraska, Miles told reporters he still wants to be a head coach again.
"I want to coach football," Miles said via Omaha.com. "That's pretty simple. I want an opportunity at a place that can win and a place where they really want to invest in the players. If they do that, I'm good."
While Miles won't coach anywhere in 2017, there's a good chance he will be in consideration for several jobs in the next coaching cycle after next season.
Miles also told reporters he is a "better coach" now than he was at LSU, and he while he might not get to be picky about his next stop, he does want to coach at a place who is serious about winning.
Miles compiled a 114-34 record at LSU after taking over for Nick Saban in 2005. He won a national championship in 2007. He was 28-21 in four seasons at his previous stop at Oklahoma State.
