Baton Rouge, LA. — Former football coach Les Miles’ lawsuit against LSU and the NCAA over its decision to vacate his team’s 37 wins from 2012 to 2015 has been moved from federal court to state court.
Miles initially filed the lawsuit in June in U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge. He alleges that LSU did not give him a chance to be heard before the National Football Foundation changed his career record significantly to disqualify him from consideration for the College Football Hall of Fame. The foundation is also a defendant in the case.
No reason was given for Miles’ decision to dismiss the federal case and file suit in state court in Baton Rouge. Miles’ attorney declined to comment.
The state lawsuit, filed Sept. 9, tracks the allegations originally made in the federal complaint, which was dismissed Sept. 30 at Miles’ request. But the state lawsuit added a claim that the defendants violated the state constitution.
In federal filings, the defendant companies say Miles can’t sue because he didn’t have a “property right” to LSU’s victory or Hall of Fame eligibility.
The decision to vacate the victories in June 2023 stemmed from an NCAA ruling that former Tigers offensive lineman Vadal Alexander received financial benefits that violated NCAA rules while he played.
