Les Miles speaks out for first time since firing from LSU

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:33 p.m. ET

Lindsey Foltin

Former LSU head coach Les Miles spoke publicly on Monday for the first time since he was fired Sunday, and he handled it like a true pro.

Less than 24 hours after his dismissal, Miles gave a candid interview with The Dan Patrick show and opened up about his firing, the status of LSU's football program and his coaching future.

Miles, who coached the Tigers for 12-plus seasons, said LSU athletic director Joe Alleva broke the news to him face-to-face.

"Joe Alleva said 'we’re going to have to make a change.' And I'm for the Tigers. Anything they see that makes the Tigers better, I’m for it. I accepted the outcome and will support that decision and these Tigers going forward."

Miles said he didn't fight the decision and explained why.

"It was beyond fighting," Miles said.

"The enjoyment of being here, the enjoyment of community, the experiences that my family’s had, it’s too important to fight over. It’s history. It’s what we were are. If they see a change makes the Tigers better, I’m for them."

While that change meant getting handed a pinkslip, Miles is could receive a number of enticing head coaching offers. And while Miles said he could certainly "find something to do," if he weren't coaching, his love for football won't keep him away from the game for long.

“I don’t golf. I play no tennis. I enjoy shooting the gun. I don’t necessarily like to point it at animals. I play cards, not very well. But what I have done for 12-to-14 hours a day for the last number of years is coach football, so I would have a difficult time not being involved in the game and not being a coach.”