Les Miles is suing his former employer the LSU Tigers ultimately accusing them of being the reason he is not getting into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Since the news broke earlier today, social media has been ablaze with LSU fans and others reacting to the news.
Why is Les Miles suing LSU?
Miles is suing LSU claiming that the school’s decision to vacate his wins is the reason he did not get into the College Football Hall of Fame.
According to On3’s Pete Nakos in a tweet on X (formerly known as Twitter) , “He (Miles) calls on the court to declare him eligible for CFBHOF and declare vacated wins so he’s eligible for nomination.”
In a complaint filed against LSU, Les Miles challenges the decision to vacate wins cost him a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) June 17, 2024
He calls on the court to declare him eligible for CFBHOF and declare the vacated wins be considered wins so he's eligible for nomination. https://t.co/gR8g05biGR pic.twitter.com/kECLp3TkTv
The Hall of Fame requires a career winning percentage of .600%. With the vacated wins, Miles’ win percentage sits at .597%, so a measly .03% away from the required .600%.
Why did LSU vacate wins under Les Miles?
Under Les Miles’ watch at LSU, the Tigers were accused of recruiting violations which included payments totaling nearly $200,000 by a former booster to the father of former offensive lineman, Vidal Alexander.
In total, LSU decided to vacate 37 wins in an effort and with hopes of lessening the sanctions against them from the NCAA.
It turns out that this strategy of being proactive on vacating wins under Miles’ reign arguably worked out in the universities favor as the Tigers were sanctioned with a $5,000 fine and a self-imposed 55 official football recruiting visits allowed during the 2022-2023 academic year according to the NCAA.
How many national championships did Les Miles win at LSU?
During his 12 seasons with the Tigers, Miles won one BCS National Championship in 2007 over the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Tigers lost another to the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2011.
Including the vacated wins, Miles led the Tigers to seven seasons with double digit wins. Therefore, I am sure in Miles’ mind he is deserving, as most coaches with that kind of success would be.
However, the counter argument is that with Miles knowingly being negligent and negatively impacting the university, he should not be worthy of the Hall of Fame per his performance at LSU. And the fans seem to align on the counter logic.
What do LSU fans think of Les Miles filing a lawsuit against the LSU Tigers?
I think I speak for the entire fanbase and the institution when I say:
— tik (@twosuh) June 17, 2024
There needs to be a lawsuit filed on Les Miles for blowing the 2012 BCS National Championship game.
With the fans reactions quite clear, it seems at least a few Baton Rouge faithful are not giving any acknowledgement for Miles to the 2007 national championship he garnered. A school of thought for many is that the 2007 national championship was built off of previous LSU coach Nick Saban’s success during his time with the Tigers.
Had one of the best LSU squads of the 21st century and blew the title game. No HOF for you buddy
— zack! (@lilzwlk) June 17, 2024
The fans however sure are not forgetting about the 2011 national championship in which the Tigers lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide 21-0 in a shutout that saw the Tigers lose its only game of the season.