Back at LSU for a day, Les Miles opens up about his ongoing job search and future plans

Inside: Miles had interviewed for a job within 48 hours; Les on joining media

By JAMES MORAN | Tiger Rag Associate Editor

The search for a new head coaching job forced Les Miles to do something that seemed unfathomable during his 12-year run as LSU’s head coach — put on a red tie.

“I have a rash right underneath here that I’m learning how to handle,” Miles said, motioning to his chest.

The former Tiger coach was back in his old stomping grounds Friday morning, invited by Jamal Adams to see the All-American safety Miles recruited, signed and coached declare for the 2017 NFL Draft.

An impromptu interview session broke out with about two dozen reporters circling around Miles following the conclusion of Adams’ press conference. He took questions from a group for the first time since he was fired on Sept. 25.

After sharing a few of his favorite memories of Adams and explaining why it didn’t feel strange to be back, Miles spoke of his own recent activities and future plans. He’s spent the past six weeks interviewing for coaching vacancies and spending time with his family.

So far the 63-year-old coach hasn’t landed a new gig. The prospect of not coaching in 2017 have become a more vivid reality for Miles, though he doesn’t sound like a man who has any plans to call it quits soon.

“Well, it’s something I want to do,” Miles said of landing a job. “You want an athletic director and president that want you. If they don’t want you, you’re good. OK? The good news is, I’ve seen some great places and know more what to look for. No, I’m not disappointed.”

Coy as always, Miles wouldn’t specify where he’d gone, but he did reveal he’s most recently interviewed with 48 hours. Minnesota, who reportedly has interest in Miles, hired Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck earlier Friday morning.

“The experience you had in 17 years, you can’t put it in a two-hour interview, and it’s impossible to try,” Miles said. “What you do is you do the best you can to display these great number of experiences you had. And you want to see how they respond. It’s important that it’s a great fit. If they don’t want an experienced coach and a guy that’s been through a number of situations, I understand, and I’m for them.”

If Miles can’t find a coaching job, there’s widespread reports that media outlets such as ESPN would be hot for his services.

Miles said he wasn’t sure what the future would hold in that regard, though he shared he’ll be in Tampa Bay on Monday for the national championship game between Alabama and Clemson. He’s plans to make multiple media appearances surround the game, including on ESPN’s radio show, Mike and Mike.

“I think it would be a challenge there, something I would enjoy, being close to the game, but I’m a coach,” Miles said of a full-time move to the media. “I have so much experience at the things that I have done that it would be hard for me to put those down. I don’t know how to do that.”

However, he didn’t shoot down the idea, either. Before answering a question, Miles grabbed a cell phone — mine specifically — out of the sea of recorders, flipped it around and asked a question of his own.

“Does this look good?” he quibbled.