Kansas football head coach Les Miles placed on administrative leave, what’s next?
Following Friday’s release of LSU’s investigation regarding Kansas football head coach Les Miles’ past conduct, the KU coach may end up leaving the program.
After LSU’s investigation of Kansas football head coach Les Miles’ past misconduct was released, KU Athletic Director Jeff Long placed the head coach on administrative leave yesterday evening.
Les Miles has been placed on administrative leave by AD Jeff Long. More coming. #kufball
— Scott Chasen (@ChasenScott) March 6, 2021
While Miles has denied a bulk of the allegations, the substantial amount that has come forward in the past couple of weeks is certainly not the look Kansas needs heading into their 2021 season.
Following his hire in 2018, Kansas fans expected Miles to help rebuild the troubled program but it seems he may leave it in a state of dismay and uncertainty. This begs the question, what’s next?
Miles’ potential departure
The next course of action will probably take place on Kansas’ end. The university will conduct an evaluation of Miles’ situation within the program, which let’s be honest, isn’t working in his favor.
The most probable outcome will be Miles’ departure from the university in some form.
Unfortunately, a hefty majority of the Jayhawks’ staff, roster, recruits, and program employees have taken on roles with the team after being sold by Miles and A.D. Jeff Long’s ambitions to rebuild the football program in 2018.
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If Miles leaves the program, it’ll be a very tough situation for Kansas football on top of everything that has mounted upon his tenure here. Following two disappointing seasons, the Jayhawks are still trying to develop a roster under Miles’ staff and playing style.
Along with his efforts on the field, Miles has hired various coaches. His most recent hire, OC Mike DeBord, was an old friend he brought in to help displace some of the weight following former OC Brent Dearmon’s departure.
Regardless, with Miles out the door, Kansas would have to take close consideration when evaluating their options at the top job. Priorities should include someone close to the program, as to not further distance any relationships that have been built in-house.
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Who’s going to take the Kansas job?
The Kansas job is one of the least appealing jobs in Division 1 play, as the program hasn’t seen a winning season since 2008. Since then, they’ve failed to find a consistent coach who’s been able to mark up more than three wins on a single season.
While Kansas has a position in the Big 12, it’s not one many coaches should be fond of. This conference has some tough football competition and it’s obvious the Jayhawks have been falling behind for several years now.
Despite the tough situation, and as much as we don’t want A.D. Jeff Long to handle it, here are a few options Kansas could turn to if Miles steps away from KU.
Emmett Jones
Finding a vital role on Miles’ staff in 2019 as passing game coordinator, Jones has seen a good deal of recent activity with the Kansas team.
He’s been involved closely with the program since Miles’ arrival and his involvement with recruiting would be a major plus to help to sustain interest from players and recruits.
Joshua Eargle
Another 2019 hire, Joshua Eargle could see himself called into the leadership role after a decent amount of time with Kansas’ staff.
Eargle had filled in and coached a game for KU earlier this season against West Virginia when Les Miles had been recovering from Covid-19.
As the current tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator, Eargle is another inside hire that would benefit those players who may be skeptical about continuing their academic and athletic careers after the Miles fallout.
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The greater impact
It’s no doubt that this is going to hurt both Kansas Athletics and the university’s reputation.
Miles’ hire, after all of this has surfaced in the last week, seems almost unthinkable now. As KU will work to recover somewhat from the tough week it’s had, the next course of action will likely involve replacing our head coach.
To sustain the interest from our current and future rosters, Kansas needs to find someone inside the program who can help tend to the wounds.
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Kansas’ track record in this department isn’t very good, with no winning record under any head coach since Mark Mangino. Whoever is hired, must be hired from within. If Kansas wants to salvage this program and climb out of this hole, it doesn’t start with an outside hire.