Les Miles: dismissing Tyrann Mathieu ‘one of the worst things I’ve ever done’

Les Miles has been the head football coach at LSU since 2005. While he’s experienced his fair share of success, Miles did something in 2012 he isn’t too pleased with.

During the 2011 season, Tyrann Mathieu was one of college football’s best players. He was an All-American, First Team All-SEC member, and the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. The following August, Mathieu was dismissed from the football team for reportedly failing multiple drug tests.

Fast forward to today and the decision to dismiss Mathieu is one Miles still thinks about.

“That’s one of the worst things I’ve ever done, just to be very honest with you,” Miles said via The Advocate. “I’m so for him, I can’t tell you.”

Since entering the NFL, Mathieu has developed into one of the best defensive backs in the league. Last season, he recorded 80 tackles and intercepted five passes on the way to be named a First Team All-Pro and earning his first Pro Bowl selection.

In the final stages of recovery from a torn ACL, Mathieu recently agreed to a contract extension that would make him the highest paid safety in the NFL. Among those happy to see Mathieu’s success is his former coach.

“God bless him. I’m so happy for him, I can’t hardly tell you,” Miles said. “Frankly, we’re thrilled about the success he was having. He’s so passionate about playing that game, playing football, that it’s allowed the best in Tyrann Mathieu.”

At one point, it seemed far from a certainty we would see Mathieu making the impact at the next level he did in 2015. Miles certainly isn’t the only one happy as Mathieu has gained numerous fans as a result of the turnaround he’s made.