re: What turned Les off to Michigan?

He negotiated a contract with LSU, got years and a number. He'll then take that to the people at Michigan and say, "heres what LSU is offering, what do you have on the table?"

imho, I think it was the timing of Carr's resignation that sent an implicit message Les very clearly understood (i.e. Carr would do everything he could to informally and privately nudge Michigan away from Miles). I don't know how the AD asking for permission fits into all this. But it seems clear to me that had Carr and the administration been on the same page in regards to who they wanted as his successor Michigan would have asked Carr to remain on until the best time to approach the 'chosen replacement'.