Alden: Michigan doesn't want Pinkel
Published Dec. 4, 2007
Louisiana State coach Les Miles addressed the media Saturday afternoon and denied ESPN's report that stated "barring something extraordinary," he would become Michigan's coach. Reporter Kirk Herbstreit broke the news on the morning edition of ESPN's College GameDay show.
Herbstreit said sources near the issue confirmed that Miles, along with Georgia Tech and interim coach Jon Tenuta, would be announced as Michigan coaches.
After the news conference in which Missouri's bowl selection was announced, Athletic Director Mike Alden said Michigan had not requested to speak with coach Gary Pinkel.
"No, I have not been contacted by anybody," he said. "So directly to answer your question, no. My responses to those questions: I don't ever talk about personnel issues or being contacted by other schools."
When asked if he would allow Michigan to speak with Pinkel before the Tigers' Cotton Bowl appearance on Jan. 1, Alden didn't say much.
"I would rather not speculate on things like that," he said. "Again, I think the focus for us is on Mizzou. We have a great team of people here. Gary has done a terrific job for our program and we are certainly looking forward to working together for a long time."
LSU will play Ohio State in the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game on Jan. 7 in New Orleans.
Les Miles has since signed a contractual agreement with LSU to remain the program's coach.