Addressing Miles to Michigan because they’ve agreed to talk . . .

[Opening caveat: I have no prediction or strong feeling on how this will all turn out. Just want to get my opinion out there]

There are quite a few folks saying Les is gone because (1) Michigan has publically stated that they want to talk to him – with the inference that they would not go public with this ahead of time unless they were certain of success (fearing egg on face) – and further inferring that the deal is done; and (2) Miles wouldn’t talk to Michigan unless he wanted the job.

Regarding #1, the way most businesses (and our government) hire people is to narrow down a pool of interested candidates based on strength of resume and interview those who make the cut. Going after one guy is rarely done. And it’s pretty irresponsible. IF Florida was telling the truth when they said WM was the only coach they wanted and the only one they talked to, they made a reckless hire. There’s a reason interviews are conducted. The employer needs to gauge the potential hire against his peers and get a feeling of whether or not applicants can do the job – as well as if they seem suited to work well within the confines of the job. I’ve sat on many hiring panels for federal government hires and the person with the best resume gets hired maybe 25 percent of the time. Michigan should interview Les, and Mr. Hoke, and anyone else they’re considering. Then they should choose who’s most qualified.

Regarding #2, why wouldn’t Les talk to Michigan? If he wants the job he has to. If he’s on the fence, he has to. If he doesn’t want the job and knows that he’s staying he still owes it to himself to talk to them a professional courtesy to the program closest to his heart. And he stands to improve his standing with his current employer to boot.

I don’t know if he’s staying or going. I hope he stays. But saying he’s gone because he’s agreed to meet and inferring that a deal is done because of this agreement is a