Mark Snyder

Detroit Free Press

When LSU fired coach Les Miles on Sunday, it resonated in Ann Arbor because of his ties as a U-M player, graduate assistant and assistant coach. Another former U-M assistant, LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, also was fired.

Asked today whether Miles could be hired by U-M as an analyst or perhaps named an honorary captain this season, coach Jim Harbaugh said, "Yeah, those are ... good suggestions."

"I have the utmost respect for Les, coach Miles, and Cam," Harbaugh said. "Haven't talked to them yet. Hope to soon."

Michigan currently has six analysts, three on defense and three on offense. There is no NCAA limit on that position.

Miles frequently has been a U-M coaching target, with different levels of interest from the Michigan administration in its past three coaches searches (December 2007, January 2011 and December 2014). Miles always has been interested in the Michigan job, as it once was his dream to follow in mentor Bo Schembechler's footsteps. But the job never was formally offered to him.

As for what's next, Miles isn't sure.

"What I have done for 12-14 hours a day for the last number of years is coach football," Miles said on the Dan Patrick radio show today. "So I would have a difficult time being involved in the game and not being a coach. ... There's always a Plan C out there. I have a daughter and a son in college, one in Texas and one at UNC, and could certainly find those games on the weekend, because football is going to be a part (of my life). And I have a young son who's committed currently to a Big Ten Conference team, a quality one (Nebraska). I could find something to do. I enjoy football. I can't imagine that I won't be involved in some way."

He might try to go to the North Carolina vs. Florida State game this weekend, if he can get a ticket.

"I can tell you one thing, I'm going to be rooting for the LSU Tigers, I'm going to be rooting for the Tar Heels, I'm going to be rooting for the (Oklahoma State) Cowboys and I'm going to be rooting for Michigan," he said. "And then when Ben ends up at the school that he's committed to, then I'm going to root for them. It's just the way it is."

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