Spartans look at U-M alum Oklahoma State's Miles downplays interest in position By Lynn Henning / The Detroit News Michigan State might have joined Alabama in the chase to hire Oklahoma State Coach Les Miles, a former University of Michigan lineman and assistant coach under Bo Schembechler and Gary Moeller. Miles, 49, is in his second year at Oklahoma State and will lead the Cowboys into the Dec. 27 Houston Bowl following OSU's 7-5 season. Alabama is courting Miles, hard, after being turned down last week by Mike Riley, who Monday was closing in on the head-coaching job at UCLA. MSU has been in contact with Miles, who had been mentioned early on as a possible candidate for the Spartans' head-coaching job. "I want to be evasive (about Michigan State) because I've not shown them very much interest," Miles told The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City). "It's preliminary conversation." Miles and OSU have agreed on a contract extension through 2009, but he has not signed it. A native of Elyria, Ohio, Miles lettered for the Wolverines in 1974-75 as an offensive guard. He coached for Schembechler during the 1980-81 seasons before joining Bill McCartney at Colorado from 1982-86, after which he rejoined Schembechler and Moeller from 1987-95. His high-level college and NFL experience fits MSU's profile as it seeks to replace Bobby Williams, who was fired Nov. 4. Miles was offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State from 1995-97, then left to take a job coaching tight ends with the Dallas Cowboys from 1998-2000. He returned to Oklahoma State as head coach in December 2000. OSU has defeated Oklahoma the last two seasons. One question concerning Miles' candidacy obviously would be political: Could MSU's fans abide an ex-Wolverines player and coach as their football leader? Should Alabama strike out with Miles, the Spartans just might find out.
