Les Miles out at KU

Les Miles, embroiled in a sexual assault scandal from his LSU days, is leaving the University of Kansas. Shortly before 10 PM local time on Monday night, March 8, KU Athletics released the following statement:

I am extremely disappointed for our university, fans and everyone involved with our football program. There is a lot of young talent on this football team, and I have no doubt we will identify the right individual to lead this program. We will begin the search for a new head coach immediately with an outside firm to assist in this process. We need to win football games, and that is exactly what we’re going to do. - Jeff Long

Les Miles released the following statement at the same time:

This is certainly a difficult day for me and for my family. I love this university and the young men in our football program. I have truly enjoyed being the head coach at KU and know that it is in a better place now than when I arrived. To our student-athletes, I want you to remember that you came to play for KU and earn a degree here. So, I implore you to stay and build on what we started and do all of the things we talked about doing together. There is a bright future for all of you and for KU Football. - Les Miles

Jeff Long will apparently be allowed to begin the search for the next football coach (along with an outside search firm this time), although I gotta say, Long should probably “mutually agree” to part ways with KU as well, as things don’t look too good for him either (paywall alert). After all, the evidence appears to show that Jeff Long failed to due his due diligence when hiring Les Miles at Kansas.

Recently hired offensive coordinator Mike DeBord will serve as the acting head coach until an interim head coach is determined. Spring practices are supposed to begin in “late March” (I could not find an exact date anywhere).