Shaquille O’Neal wants LSU to show Les Miles ‘a lot more respect’

Noted former LSU basketball player Shaquille O'Neal was on the sidelines for Saturday's game between the Tigers and the Aggies of Texas A&M. He was not only taking in the final regular-season game for LSU, but, if rampant rumors are accurate, the final home game ever for Coach Les Miles.

Despite all the winning Miles has done in Baton Rouge, he hasn't led the Tigers to an SEC championship since 2011, this year's squad had a three-game losing streak, and in general, many LSU supporters perceive him as being overly conservative with the school's annual parade of talent.

That said, in an in-game interview with Maria Taylor of the SEC Network, O'Neal solidly backed Miles, and he said the school should be showing the coach "a lot more respect."

"My take is, whatever we do, it should be handled professionally," O'Neal told Taylor. 

O'Neal continued: "Hopefully, he stays — you know, I want him to stay. But again, he should be shown a lot more respect."

Shaq was hardly the only Tigers fan showing support for Miles at Saturday's game. When the coach ran onto the field during introductions, he was met with deafening applause and a standing ovation.

If Les Miles is indeed coaching his final game at LSU, he's being sent out as the most beloved ousted coach in college football history.

While at the game, O'Neal also took the opportunity to show some love for another person who currently figures prominently in the LSU athletic landscape, and who also does not appear to be staying in Baton Rouge much longer.

But if Ben Simmons departs after his one season as a Tigers basketball player, it will be, of course, because he's set to get taken very high in the NBA draft, not because anyone in Louisiana wants him gone.

It remains to be seen if it helps Miles's cause at all, but his Tigers beat the Aggies Saturday, 19-7. After the final whistle, the coach was carried off the field.

This article was written by Des Bieler from The Washington Post and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.

SEE ALSO: Shaq explains how the 'worst contract in sports history' convinced him to stop playing football in high school

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