Former football coach Les Miles has taken legal action against Louisiana State University (LSU) and the NCAA regarding the decision to vacate 37 wins by his teams from 2012 to 2015. The lawsuit has now been shifted from federal court to state court in Baton Rouge.
Initially filed in June in the U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge, Miles claimed that LSU did not provide him with an opportunity to present his case before nullifying a significant portion of his coaching record. This move prevented him from being considered for the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame, with the Foundation also named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
The reason behind the transfer of the lawsuit from federal to state court has not been disclosed. Miles’ attorney has chosen not to comment on the matter. The state lawsuit, filed on September 9th, echoes the allegations put forth in the federal complaint, which was dismissed on September 30th at Miles’ request. However, the state lawsuit introduces a new argument that the defendants violated the state constitution.
In the federal case documents, the defendants argue that Miles lacks the legal standing to sue as he did not possess a “property right” to the LSU victories or eligibility for the Hall of Fame. The decision to vacate the wins in June 2023 was based on an NCAA ruling that former Tigers player Vadal Alexander had received impermissible financial benefits during his time on the team.
Les Miles’ legal battle with LSU and the NCAA continues to unfold, now within the confines of state court in Baton Rouge, as the former coach seeks to challenge the alteration of his coaching record and eligibility for prestigious honours in the football community.