ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit reported on espn.com today that LSU head coach Les Miles would accept the open job at Michigan. This promted Miles to call a press conference in Atlanta just two hours before his Tigers played Tennessee for the SEC Championship (a game they just won).
“There’s misinformation on ESPN and I think it’s imperative that I straighten it out. I’m the head coach at LSU, I will be the head coach at LSU and I have no interest in talking to anybody else. I’ve got a championship game to play and I’m excited about the opportunity of my damn strong football team to play. 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 we’ll be ready to play.”
So, are we to believe the same sports news network when it says its unnamed sources say Bo Pelini will be in Lincoln on Monday to accept the Huskers’ offer? I think it’s unlikely they’d be wrong in both cases, but it does prove that speculation and secondary sources do not equal “a done deal.”
[via Detroit Free Press]
[UPDATE] Lincoln Journal Star reports that LSU linebacker Darry Beckwith told the paper right after his team’s 21-14 win over Tennessee, that Bo Pelini told the team before the game he is leaning toward taking the Nebraska job and that it’s his dream job. So it sounds like he’s been offered the job but has yet to accept it.
December 1st, 2007 at 6:26 pm
If only Mark May was standing next to him when he said it and agreed with it. 2 birds with one stone.
December 1st, 2007 at 7:48 pm
In response to your update, Somebody track the plane so we can be there when it lands!
Would it be premature to throw oranges at him?
December 1st, 2007 at 7:57 pm
It makes me wonder why you would be “leaning” towards taking you “dream job”.
December 1st, 2007 at 8:08 pm
One reason it might not be decided is timing. LSU can still play for the national championship, should Oklahoma and Pitt win tonight. But we need a coach now, not in January.
December 1st, 2007 at 8:33 pm
It also makes me wonder if something bigger is up TO’s sleeve.
I can see it now. TO stays on as head coach, with Bo Pelini at defensive coordinator and Turner Gill as offensive coordinator.
TO can sit on the sidelines and let the two of them do their thing (just like Bobby Bowden). Two quick national championships later and he’ll walk off into the sunset and leave them as co-Head Coaches to continue the tradition.
December 1st, 2007 at 8:33 pm
If your dream is to be a head coach, I would say you have to pass on being a D.C. for a possible National Championship. I think he is still trying to stay quiet out of respect for what Tom ask him to do.
December 1st, 2007 at 8:34 pm
@ Admin,
Did you just watch “Rudy” or something?
December 1st, 2007 at 8:38 pm
That is true since OK and Pitt seem to be handling their business. Well kinda. OK needs to pick it up, but I would rather Mizzou get in the title game. It hurts to say that.
December 1st, 2007 at 10:20 pm
@Forever Red -
No Rudy (can’t stand that movie), but it was a decent movie/TV day, Ratatouille with the kids, Red Dawn, LSU/Tennessee & flipping back and forth between Pitt/W.Virginia and Mizzuo/Oklahoma.
December 1st, 2007 at 10:21 pm
There will be no bowl for Bo.
December 1st, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Red Dawn! I love that movie! Wolverines!!!!
There was some good football on today. I’m sad that college football is coming to an end.
December 1st, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Red Dawn, Now that’s a man’s movie.
Les Miles was just on Sportscenter. When asked how many years he will be at LSU his response was, after stumbling around for a little bit, ” I will be here for some time.” Some time just past while you were reading this. He’s going to Michigan. No championship game and an easy road to the NC.