TLDR: Les Miles, a former Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers football coach, has filed a federal lawsuit against LSU. The lawsuit comes after a 2023 decision to vacate 37 of his team’s victories, which Miles argues wrongfully prevents his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. According to Hall of Fame criteria, a coach needs a career win percentage of .600 or higher, which the decision impacted by altering his official record from 145-73 (.665) to 108-73 (.597). Miles claims this act violated his right to due process, asserting he receives no opportunity to defend himself. These wins were initially voided following an NCAA investigation linking LSU players to impermissible benefits, notably involving Vadal Alexander. Miles contends the booster involved was unconnected to LSU officially and thus exonerates him of any responsibility. Miles contrasts his team’s penalties with lesser repercussions imposed on the university’s basketball program for recruiting infractions. He is seeking to have these wins recognized for Hall of Fame eligibility purposes.

In a recent legal filing, longtime LSU head coach Les Miles has taken a stand against the university, contesting the 2023 decision to vacate 37 victories that ultimately dent his chances at the Football Hall of Fame. In his lawsuit, Miles argues that this action strips him unfairly of Hall of Fame eligibility, with his restructured win record no longer meeting the benchmark .600 win ratio required for induction. Originally standing at 145-73 (.665), his revised tally of 108-73 (.597) puts him under this critical threshold. Miles points out that such a significant move was undertaken without any invitation for him to present his side of the story.

The legal battle involves significant institutions, with LSU, NCAA, and the College Football Hall of Fame named as defendants. The move to nullify these victories arises from an NCAA inquiry that uncovered former Tigers lineman Vadal Alexander benefiting improperly during Miles’ tenure. Miles holds that the transactions, involving a booster not officially connected to LSU, do not implicate him as the overseeing coach. In his statement, Miles insists this interference violates his right to due process, as per the Fourteenth Amendment, since he was not afforded an opportunity to contest these accusations or the subsequent ruling.

What stirs Miles even more is the perceived disparity in how different LSU sports teams faced repercussions from the NCAA’s findings. While the Tigers’ wins were slashed dramatically, similar or more serious violations by LSU’s basketball program under ex-coach Will Wade were met with far less severity. Though Wade’s team faced allegations of recruiting violations, including illegal benefits to recruits, none of their achievements or games were reevaluated, a gap Miles cites as unjust. In this light, Miles feels singled out and hopes to receive rectification through the courts to reclaim his lost opportunities.

As Miles gears up for a vigorous legal defense, he petitions for the legal acknowledgment of those wins in Hall of Fame considerations. Following his 2016 exit from LSU — after a successful run with a 114-34 scoreline — Miles had brief stints coaching other teams. This latest chapter reflects his dedication to restoring his legacy, despite any missteps on or off the field that may have surfaced during his extensive career in college football.