Report: Les Miles turned down Michigan offer in 2011

According to New York Times Bestselling writer John Bacon, Michigan never offered Les Miles in 2007, 2011 or 2014.

——————————

Les Miles was offered to be the Michigan football head coach in 2011, according to former LSU athletic director Skip Bertman. He turned down the job and Brady Hoke became the 19th football coach of the Wolverines.

"Les Miles turned that job down for more money at Michigan. He turned it down," Bertman said Wednesday during a two-hour interview on the "Sports Today" radio show on Baton Rouge's ESPN Radio affiliate, 104.5 FM. "He would never say that because he's a very humble guy. But I was there; he turned it down."

Dave Brandon, who was the Michigan athletic director at the time, was looking for a new coach after Rich Rodriguez failed with the Wolverines. Miles was an interesting candidate as he played for Michigan from 1974-1975 and coached as a graduate assistant from 1980-1981.

"I swear to God that's true. He turned it down," Bertman said. "LSU had just given him this new contract, and the president of Domino's Pizza flew down on a Domino's plane and offered him [the Michigan job], and he says, 'You've got to tell me tonight, Les, because if you don't say yes, I'm going to get Brady Hoke.' And sure enough, he took off and the next day you read in the paper that he hired Brady Hoke."

There was speculation of Miles becoming the Michigan head coach in 2007, 2011 and 2014. In those respective years, Michigan hired Rodriguez, Hoke and Jim Harbaugh.

When Harbaugh was asked if Miles could join the Wolverines this season, the coach did not say no.

"Good suggestions," Harbaugh said Monday, according to the Detroit Free Press. "I have the utmost respect for Les, coach Miles, and Cam (Cameron). Haven't talked to them yet. Hope to soon."