History of Les Miles in Timeline

Leslie Edwin Miles, nicknamed "the Hat" and "the Mad Hatter," is a former American football coach known for his signature white cap, quirky personality, and unconventional play-calling. His most recent head coaching position was at the University of Kansas. He previously served as head coach for Oklahoma State Cowboys (2001-2004) and Louisiana State University (LSU) (2005-2016). Notably, Miles led the 2007 LSU Tigers to victory in the BCS National Championship Game against Ohio State. Before becoming a head coach, Miles held assistant coaching positions at Oklahoma State, the University of Michigan, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and with the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL.

November 10, 1953: Birth of Les Miles

Les Miles was born on November 10, 1953.

1972: Les Miles graduates high school and attends University of Michigan

Les Miles graduated from Elyria High School and began attending the University of Michigan in 1972.

1974: Les Miles earns letters in football at the University of Michigan

Les Miles earned letters in football while playing for the University of Michigan in 1974.

1975: Les Miles completes his time at the University of Michigan

Les Miles finished his time as a student-athlete at the University of Michigan in 1975.

1980: Les Miles joins coaching staff at Michigan

Les Miles became a graduate assistant on Bo Schembechler's staff at the University of Michigan in 1980.

1982: Les Miles leaves Michigan for University of Colorado

Les Miles left the University of Michigan to coach the offensive line at the University of Colorado in 1982.

1987: Les Miles returns to Michigan as offensive line coach

Les Miles returned to the University of Michigan as the offensive line coach in 1987.

1990: Les Miles continues as offensive line coach under Gary Moeller

Les Miles remained the offensive line coach at Michigan under new head coach Gary Moeller in 1990.

1995: Les Miles leaves Michigan for Oklahoma State

Due to a rift with the University of Michigan, Les Miles left and became the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State in 1995.

1998: Les Miles becomes tight ends coach for Dallas Cowboys

Les Miles took on the role of tight ends coach for the Dallas Cowboys in 1998.

2000: End of Les Miles' tenure with Dallas Cowboys

Les Miles concluded his time as tight ends coach for the Dallas Cowboys in 2000.

2001: Start of Oklahoma State Tenure

Les Miles began his tenure as head coach at Oklahoma State in 2001.

2001: Les Miles returns to Oklahoma State as head coach

Les Miles returned to Oklahoma State, this time as the head coach, in 2001.

2001: Les Miles begins coaching career at Oklahoma State

Les Miles started his head coaching career at Oklahoma State in 2001.

2002: Les Miles named Big 12 Coach of the Year

Les Miles was awarded the Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year title in 2002.

2004: End of Les Miles' tenure at Oklahoma State

In 2004, Les Miles concluded his time as head coach at Oklahoma State.

January 2, 2005: Les Miles named head coach of LSU

Les Miles was appointed the 32nd head football coach of LSU on January 2, 2005.

August 2005: Hurricane Katrina impacts LSU football season

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina significantly disrupted LSU's football season, causing postponements and relocations of games.

2005: LSU wins SEC Western Division title and Peach Bowl

In 2005, LSU, under Les Miles, won the SEC Western Division title and the Peach Bowl.

2005: Les Miles becomes head coach at LSU

Les Miles began his tenure as head coach at LSU in 2005.

2005: End of Oklahoma State Tenure

Les Miles's time as head coach at Oklahoma State concluded in 2005.

2006: LSU achieves back-to-back 10-win seasons and wins Sugar Bowl

LSU had consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time in the program's history in 2006 and won the Sugar Bowl.

December 16, 2007: Rich Rodriguez Accepts Michigan Head Coaching Job

On December 16, 2007, Rich Rodriguez accepted the head coaching position at the University of Michigan, ending speculation that Les Miles would leave LSU for his alma mater.

2007: Speculation about Les Miles and Michigan coaching position

During the 2007 season, there was speculation about Les Miles potentially becoming the head coach at the University of Michigan, which he ultimately denied.

2007: LSU wins SEC Championship and BCS National Championship

In 2007, despite two regular season losses, LSU won the SEC Championship and the BCS National Championship under Les Miles.

2007: LSU wins BCS National Championship under Les Miles

Les Miles led LSU to victory in the BCS National Championship Game in 2007.

2008: LSU finishes 8-5

In 2008, Les Miles led LSU to an 8-5 season following their national championship win.

2009: LSU finishes 9-4

Les Miles and LSU had a 9-4 season in 2009.

2010: Successful Season and Cotton Bowl Victory

In 2010, LSU finished with an 11-2 record, capped off with a win in the Cotton Bowl.

2011: Meeting with Michigan Officials

After the 2011 Cotton Bowl, Les Miles met with Michigan officials to discuss the head coaching vacancy at his alma mater, but ultimately chose to remain at LSU.

2011: Start of Consecutive 10-3 Seasons

Following the 2011 season, LSU began a streak of two consecutive seasons with a 10-3 record, starting in 2011.

2011: Undefeated Regular Season, SEC Championship, and National Championship Loss

In 2011, LSU went 13-0 in the regular season, won the SEC Championship, but lost to Alabama in the National Championship game.

2012: Beginning of Period with Vacated Wins

2012 marked the start of the period during which LSU, under Les Miles, accumulated wins that were later vacated by the NCAA due to an eligibility scandal.

2012: 10-3 Season

LSU had a 10-3 record in 2012.

September 2013: Sports Illustrated Investigation into Oklahoma State Tenure

In September 2013, Sports Illustrated published articles alleging misconduct within the Oklahoma State football program during Les Miles's time as head coach (2001-2005), including a bonus system for players, academic improprieties, and tolerance of drug use. Miles denied any wrongdoing.

2013: Investigation into Relationships with Female Students at LSU

In 2013, LSU conducted an internal investigation into Les Miles's relationships with female students. The investigation found his behavior inappropriate, leading to a letter of reprimand and restrictions on his interactions with students.

2013: 10-3 Season

LSU achieved a 10-3 record in the 2013 season.

2014: Step Back Season

In 2014, LSU's performance declined, finishing with an 8-5 record.

2015: End of Period with Vacated Wins

2015 marked the end of the period at LSU during which Les Miles coached the team to wins that were later vacated by the NCAA due to an eligibility scandal.

2015: Retained as Head Coach Despite Rumors

Despite rumors of a potential buyout, Les Miles was retained as LSU's head coach after the 2015 season.

September 25, 2016: Les Miles Fired from LSU

On September 25, 2016, Les Miles and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron were fired from LSU after a 2-2 start to the season.

2016: End of Les Miles' tenure at LSU

In 2016, Les Miles' time as head coach at LSU came to an end.

November 18, 2018: Hired as Head Coach at Kansas

On November 18, 2018, Les Miles was hired as the head football coach at the University of Kansas.

2018: Les Miles Featured in Dos Equis Campaign

In 2018, Les Miles was featured in the Dos Equis "Keep It Interesante" campaign, highlighting his unique personality and love for the game.

March 2019: Allegations of Paying Player to Leave Campus

In March 2019, allegations emerged that the Kansas football program, under Les Miles, paid a player to leave campus and take online classes after he alleged threats and harassment from teammates.

2020: Winless Season at Kansas

During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Les Miles' Kansas Jayhawks went 0-9, marking the third winless season in the program's history.

March 5, 2021: Placed on Administrative Leave

Les Miles was placed on administrative leave at Kansas on March 5, 2021, due to an investigation into inappropriate conduct with female students during his time at LSU.

March 2021: Buyout and Departure from Kansas

In March 2021, Les Miles and Kansas mutually agreed to part ways, with Miles receiving a buyout of his remaining contract. Athletic Director Jeff Long claimed to have only learned of the allegations through the media.

July 2021: Allegations of Mishandling Player Dispute

In July 2021, a report surfaced alleging that Les Miles, while at Kansas, suggested that players involved in a dispute settle it through full-contact drills on the practice field.

June 22, 2023: NCAA Vacates LSU Wins Under Les Miles

On June 22, 2023, the NCAA vacated 37 LSU wins from Les Miles's tenure (2012-2015) due to improper benefits received by a player's family from a booster. This dropped Miles's career record below the .600 threshold for College Football Hall of Fame eligibility.

2024: Les Miles Sues LSU, NCAA, and NFF

In 2024, Les Miles filed a lawsuit against LSU, the NCAA, and the National Football Foundation in response to the vacated wins and subsequent ineligibility for the College Football Hall of Fame.