Is Les Miles eligible for CFB Hall of Fame induction? Exploring latest controversy around former Tigers coach

Les Miles, a former head coach of the LSU Tigers and Kansas Jayhawks is arguably one of the top coaches of all-time. However, he is ineligible to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Miles won a national championship with LSU in 2007, but despite being one of the top coaches in college, he isn't eligible for the CFB Hall of Fame.

Why is Les Miles not eligible for the CFB Hall of Fame?

Les Miles is not eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame due to vacated wins.

LSU had to vacate all of their wins from 2012-15, which was 37 wins on Miles' record. Due to that, Miles' winning percentage fell from .665 to .597. Thus, he doesn't meet the .600 career win percentage threshold for Hall of Fame consideration.

Following the news of Miles not being eligible for the Hall of Fame, the coach sued LSU. ESPN's Adam Rittenberg wrote on X:

"Former LSU coach Les Miles today filed a lawsuit against LSU, alleging the school's decision to vacate the wins his teams attained cost him the chance for College Football Hall of Fame qualification. News release called it 'an irrational and unfair self-inflicted punishment....'

"Miles' lawsuit also lists the NCAA and the National Football Foundation, which manages the Hall of Fame, as defendants. His longtime agent George Bass said LSU 'promised us help in undoing this injustice' and then 'went back on its word.'"

LSU self-imposed the penalty over four seasons after offensive lineman Vadal Alexander and his family received impermissible benefits. Miles was the coach at that time, and those vacated wins have cost him the chance at being in the Hall of Fame.

However, vacated wins are part of college football, so it does seem to be an uphill climb for Miles to win the lawsuit.

Les Miles' college coaching career

Les Miles was the head coach of Oklahoma State from 2001 until 2004 as he went 28-21, which was his first head coaching job. He then took over as he coach of LSU in 2005 until 2016.

Miles led the Tigers to a national championship in 2007 and was the runner-up in 2011. Miles was fired in 2016.

After a couple of years away, he returned to the sidelines to coach Kansas in 2019 and 2020 but the Jayhawks went 3-18 during his time.