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LSU Tigers: Five Potential SEC Openings for Les Miles

By Jacob Young

Sep 10, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles congratulates Russell Gage (39) after a tackle against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks during the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Jacksonville State 34-13. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles congratulates Russell Gage (39) after a tackle against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks during the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Jacksonville State 34-13. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sunday it was announced that LSU head coach Les Miles had been let go by the team after a loss on the road against the Auburn Tigers. Miles is one of the winningest coaches in recent memory, and will surely have his fair share of opportunities to coach again next season.

As usual, when a premier coach is searching for a new job, we are seeing “potential landing spots” posts from many networks regarding Les Miles. I thought I would get in on the speculating, but with a little bit of a twist. I want to take a look at what potential job openings would allow Miles to stay in the SEC and compete against his former team.

1. Auburn Tigers

This is definitely the scenario LSU fans least want to see, but it is a real possibility. Gus Malzahn bought himself a little more time with the win over LSU that cost Miles his job, but he is still very much on the hot seat. If Auburn falters down the stretch and is unable to compete and win several SEC games, Malzahn is likely out of a job.

If that does indeed end up being the case, Les Miles would likely be a guy who gets a call from Auburn AD Jay Jacobs. With their last two head coaching vacancies, the Auburn Tigers have opted to go with relatively unknown guys with little head coaching experience at a high level in Gene Chizik and Gus Malzahn, so the next hire will probably be a proven guy.

As one of the winningest coaches in recent history, Les Miles is certainly that. If Auburn decided to go in another direction after the current season, look for Miles to be the favorite to land that job.

2. Missouri Tigers

When the Tigers hired Barry Odom to start the year, they did so knowing they were taking a risk on an under-the-radar candidate. Odom was the defensive coordinator for Missouri last season after spending three years in the same role at Memphis.

The school was forced to scramble with the hire after head coach Gary Pinkel retired due to injury, so they are by no means committed long-term to Odom. If the Tigers continue to struggle and have a poor overall showing in SEC play, the board might decide to make a switch and capitalize on a guy like Miles being available.

3. Kentucky Wildcats

Mark Stoops is clearly on his way out in Lexington. The Wildcats appeared to be on a bit of an upward trend a couple of seasons ago, but that feels like a distant memory with the brutal state the program is currently in. With little current success or long-term hope, the team will likely look to turn the page after the season and give another coach a shot.

With the position at Kentucky being a rebuilding project, it probably isn’t Miles’ first choice. But it will be an opening, and something he may end up considering if he does want to stay in the Southeastern Conference.

4. Vanderbilt Commodores

This is a situation somewhat similar to that of Kentucky. Vanderbilt is a program that has not seen sustained success in quite some time. While the Commodores do not endure quite the lack of success the Wildcats do, it has been a long time since a coach has come in and strung together multiple winning seasons.

Derek Mason has done a decent job of laying a foundation at Vandy, but it just doesn’t look like the team is getting over the hump anytime soon. Les Miles is a coach who could likely turn the program around at a much faster pace, the only question is whether or not he’d want that type of project. Derek Mason isn’t firmly on the chopping block just yet, but Vandy could potentially be an option for Miles.

5. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Just a couple of seasons ago, the Bulldogs were number one in the country and playing Alabama for a chance at making it to the conference championship. Now, MSU is 2-2 with a loss to South Alabama and a relatively close win against UMASS to their name. The program has lost a lot of talent and has been unable to replenish it and sustain success.

Not all of that is on head coach Dan Mullen, as losing the best quarterback in the school’s history tends to result in a bit of a dropoff, but if the season spirals out of control the team could opt to move on.

Mississippi State doesn’t have the prestige of a school like Auburn, but it is certainly a better gig than Vanderbilt or Kentucky. Mullen has proven that the Bulldogs can recruit the type of talent you need to be an elite team, and adding a legendary coach like Les Miles to the mix could only have a positive impact.

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