Les Miles’ impromptu press conference prior to the SEC title game was
the talk of the college football world Saturday. His response to the ESPN report
that stated he would be leaving LSU and named the head coach in Ann Arbor in
a matter of days appears to have affected the process for both Miles and Michigan.
"This past weekend, the media frenzy before and after the SEC Championship
game concerning the head-coaching fate of Les Miles did indeed take on a life
of its own,” Martin said. “I want to set the record straight as
it concerns Michigan’s process in its head-coaching search. We asked LSU
for permission to talk to Les Miles last week and we were given permission to
talk to Les but not until after the SEC Championship game on Saturday. Les Miles
was one of our candidates. I did not talk to Les Miles or his agent this past
week in accordance with the wishes of Skip Bertman and the LSU Athletic Department.”
Even after Miles’ pre and post game comments Saturday, Martin still followed
through on his inquiry about the former Michigan Wolverines’ availability.
(Sunday) morning I did speak with Les’ agent (George Bass) and he reaffirmed
what Les said during his press conference (Saturday) -- that he was staying at
LSU, Martin said. “We wish Les and the LSU Athletic Department the best
of luck in the future.”
“As for Michigan, we are continuing with the process we established and
will continue to talk with and research our list of candidates."
Other names now being rumored as persons of interest in the Michigan coaching
search are Rutgers’ Greg Schiano, Wake Forest’s Jim Grobe, and Missouri’s
Gary Pinkel.