Miles bringing SEC title back with him to Baton Rouge

Les Miles appears to be in line for a major payday at LSU. Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

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ATLANTA -- Les Miles exchanged hugs and a few private sentiments with Glenn Dorsey and Jacob Hester before taking the SEC championshp trophy from commissioner Mike Slive. Grabbing one side of the award, he and Dorsey held it aloft as blue and white confetti shot up from behind the podium, reaching toward the Georgia Dome ceiling before falling onto the collection of players amid the celebration.

With a 21-14 win over No. 14 Tennessee, the fifth-ranked Tigers will head back to Baton Rouge with a conference title, at least a Sugar Bowl berth -- and something else it seemed they wouldn't be leaving Atlanta with: their coach.

Since Lloyd Carr's retirement announcement Nov. 19, speculation has run rampant that sometime after the SEC title game, Miles would stand in front of a podium in Ann Arbor, framed by a backdrop of maize block Ms and return to the school he can't help himself from publicly fawning over.

Consider what's been a widespread certainty put to rest, for the time being, as an irate Miles addressed a day that began with ESPN saying that not only was he going to take over the Wolverines, but he was taking Georgia Tech blitz guru Jon Tenuta with him.

"I don't know how that information gets out," Miles said. "I challenge [anyone] to find out who exactly said what. There should be some accountability. It's not right. When someone says 'This is reported.' Let me tell you something, they ought to confirm it with me. It's not true. It's not right."

Before he made a statement two hours prior to kickoff Saturday, Miles addressed his team and told them he was sorry for what's been an undeniable distraction.

"He even apologized to us for it even being brought up," Hester said. "That shows the kind of character he has."

Miles has reportedly agreed to a new contract, a multi-year deal that is expected to pay him more than $3.5 million a year, a figure that would make him among the nation's highest-paid. Michigan athletic director Bill Martin has stated they were willing to offer in the $3 million range for their next coach.

Until he formally signs a deal -- with LSU or Michigan -- we're still going to hear rumors. Consider it a sign of the times. Martin has asked for permission to talk to Miles and LSU gave it, with the disclaimer that UM wait until after the SEC title game.

But if it's truly over and Miles isn't heading anywhere, it may end up being a deft move to move his salary ahead of Notre Dame's Charlie Weis, who makes $3.3 million a year.

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