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Former LSU athletic director Joe Alleva recommended firing then-head coach Les Miles in 2013 with cause, according to documents released on Friday morning.
Miles’ conduct while at LSU has come into question this week. On Thursday, it was revealed he was banned from contacting female students due to inappropriate behavior.
Alleva wanted to fire Miles with cause for a number of infractions, including insubordination and inappropriate behavior.
This is an email sent by Alleva to then-president F. King Alexander and LSU’s general counsel. Obtained by The Athletic’s Brody Miller:
New information. Former #LSU athletic director Joe Alleva recommended in 2013 to fire Les Miles with cause and said the public opinion would be in LSU's favor. pic.twitter.com/x1C6TzOX6a
— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) March 5, 2021
Both Alleva and Alexander resigned their positions in 2019.
Alleva’s note indicates he believes the “court of public opinion” would have sided with the university if they had let Miles go.
“I think we have cause,” the note reads. “I specifically told him not to text, call or be alone with any student workers and he obviously didn’t listen. I know there are many possible outcomes and much risk either way, but I believe it is in the best interest in the long run to make a break. The court of pubic opinion would favor us.”
LSU eventually fired Miles after a loss to Auburn in September of 2016.
Miles is currently the head coach at the University of Kansas.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.