Miles remains steadfast, says he won't be Michigan's next coach

Les Miles has agreed to -- but not signed -- a lucrative extension with LSU and will not be Michigan's next head football coach.

Miles hastily addressed the media during a brief news conference hours before Saturday's Southeastern Conference championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Miles wanted to refute an ESPN report early Saturday morning that he would be announced next week at Michigan's head coach.

Several sources close to the Michigan coaching search had indicated that Miles, a former Michigan player and assistant coach, was the front-runner to replace Lloyd Carr, who retired Nov. 19 after 13 years as Michigan's head coach.

"I am the head coach at LSU," Miles said, his voice testy. "I will be the head coach at LSU. I have no interest in talking to anybody else.

"I got a championship game to play, and I'm excited about the opportunity of my damn strong football team to play in it. And that's really all I'd like to say. It's unfortunate that I had to address my team with this information this morning. With that being done, I think we'll be ready to play."

LSU athletic director Skip Bertman confirmed in a telephone interview with The News early Saturday afternoon that Miles had agreed to a lucrative, multi-year extension with LSU. The deal was finalized Friday, Bertman said.

"The truth is, he's going to stay at LSU," Bertman said. "We have an agreement, but we don't have a written, signed document. But we have an agreement so that Les could talk to his team (Saturday), which he did."

According to the official LSU Web site, terms and conditions of the contract have been agreed upon and will be presented at Thursday's LSU Board of Supervisors meeting.

"Miles will not entertain any offer from the University of Michigan to become the Wolverines' head coach or from any other institution," according to LSU's Web site.

Miles made clearer his intentions during a pre-game interview with CBS, which aired the game.

"I will be the LSU coach next year, absolutely," he said.

During an on-field pregame interview with the LSU sports radio network, Miles reiterated he's staying at LSU.

"Absolutely," he said. "This is a place I want to be. This is a place my family is very comfortable. This school has everything. It has an opportunity at victory and competing at the highest level.

"Personally, professionally, socially, we have friends here. I respect the young men that I coach. Anybody that I have signed (in recruiting), when I tell them I am going to be here, I was sincere. I'm the head coach at LSU, and I'm going to be the head coach at LSU."

Miles addressed the issue with his players several hours before the SEC title game, and LSU called a 1:50 p.m. news conference -- about two hours before kickoff -- during which Miles made his comments.

On Wednesday, Michigan athletic director Bill Martin requested and was granted permission by LSU to talk to Miles after the SEC title game. Martin, sources said, never reached out to Miles' agent, George Bass, or Miles. Martin was expected to contact Miles on Sunday, and sources told The News Martin expected to meet with Miles on Monday at a neutral location.

Martin could not be reached for comment Saturday.

Bertman said the contract essentially was ironed out Friday, but they chose not to negotiate over the weekend because of the SEC title game.

John Wangler, former Michigan quarterback and close friend of Miles, was shocked by the news.

Wangler had been public in his support of Miles, saying he believed his friend would be the next head coach of the Wolverines.

"I'm very disappointed," Wangler said Saturday by phone. "But I'll support whoever the next guy is. I love Michigan."

Bertman told The News on Wednesday night he was prepared to make Miles a lucrative offer to remain with the Tigers. Sources said the offer LSU put on the table would make Miles among the nation's highest-paid coaches. Miles is finishing his third season at LSU.

"I don't understand why people won't believe me -- the guy has said he didn't want to go to Michigan," Bertman said. "He told the Chancellor, the president, the board members. He said he wanted to stay at LSU. He had permission to talk to Michigan, but he didn't really want to go to Michigan. I know it's a blow to Michigan, but this is a nice place here.

"The guy was never going to Michigan, evidently. He never even spoke to anybody from Michigan. We're very excited. The players are excited."

Following LSU’s 21-14 victory over Tennessee on Saturday night, Miles further discussed his decision, reiterating that Michigan had never contacted him for the position. He said his former coach at Michigan, Bo Schembechler, told him when he took the LSU job it would be a great place for him, and he has listened to that advice.

"I will always be a Michigan man," Miles said. "I will always root for the next coach there. I will always wear those colors, and when it comes time for the Ohio State-Michigan game, I’m going to really pull for them, and they will eventually win that game.

"I’m for them, and if there’s anyway I can help them, I’d love to help them. But I’m not going there. It saddens me at times. I can’t be in two places. But I’ve got a great place. I’m at home."

ESPN reported Saturday morning that Michigan would announce Miles as its head coach next week and would bring with him Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta.

Meanwhile, sources close to the Michigan search said Martin will continue to look at candidates that include Rutgers coach Greg Schiano, Missouri coach Gary Pinkel, Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe, N.C. State Tom O'Brien and Cal coach Jeff Tedford.

You can reach Angelique S. Chengelis at angelique.chengelis@detnews.com. Krysten Oliphant contributed.