Today, former Louisiana State University Head Coach, Leslie Edwin "Les" Miles sued the University, its Board of Supervisors, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. The federal suit was filed in the United States District Court, Middle District of Louisiana. Miles claims his eligibility for the College Football Hall of Fame was stripped from him without due process and seeks remedy for the damages he claims to his reputation. Miles cites lack of notice and opportunity to be heard.These claims sound in 28 U.S.C. Section 1331 and 28 U.S.C. Section 1343(3).

The crux of Miles suit is that an NCAA investigation into LSU's football and basketball programs yielded infractions that stripped him of Hall of Fame eligibility.  Miles was not found to be responsible for these violations, though violations did occur during his tenure with the University. 

The Defendants allegedly brokered a deal (without Miles) that resulted in the retroactive amendment of the Tigers win-loss record ultimately removing Miles from eligibility from the Hall of Fame. Miles is asking the Court for declaratory and injunctive relief to restore his reputation and his Hall of Fame eligibility among other relief. 

Miles alleges under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, that LSU conspired to violate his 14th Amendment Due Process rights under color of state law - claiming that had LSU not proposed vacating wins as part of their resolution with the NCAA, then Miles would have been eligible for nomination to the College Football Hall of Fame. 37 wins were vacated by LSU, leaving Miles career record at 108-73, for a winning percentage of .597, just 3 percent shy of the .600 needed for Hall of Fame consideration.

Miles is alleging a property interest in the vacated wins AND in his eligibility for nomination to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Miles is seeking a judgment from the District Court declaring that he is eligible for consideration for the College Football Hall of Fame; that his vacated wins should be considered for nomination purposes to the Hall of Fame; that the named Defendants' agreement not to consider the vacated wins is void and unenforceable, and finally declaring that any agreement among the Defendants to prevent or hinder any nonparty from considering the vacated wins in determining Miles's eligibility for nomination for the College Football Hall of Fame or for any other honor is void and unenforceable. 

Miles also seeks attorneys' fees and costs pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 1998. 

Time will tell if the Tigers will ROAR at or with Miles. For now, you can read a full copy of the Complaint attached to this post.

Geaux Tigers!