Les Miles is hired to coach Oklahoma State.(AP)

"He's got fire in his breeches," OSU athletic director Terry Don Phillips said. "He's very competitive. I feel very good."

Last week, Oklahoma State was ready to hire Boise State's Dirk Koetter. But Koetter pulled out at the last minute and took the coaching job at Arizona State.

Miles, the Dallas Cowboys tight ends coach the past three seasons, replaces his former boss, Bob Simmons. Simmons was forced to resign last month after six years with Oklahoma State.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he was sorry to lose Miles.

"He's extremely well-qualified to be a college head coach, and I know he had a very serious (passion) for Oklahoma State."

After Koetter withdrew, Miles and former Oklahoma State quarterback Mike Gundy were granted second interviews last week. Gundy is only 33 and relatively inexperienced, but Phillips said he was a serious candidate.

Miles has worked for such coaches as Bill McCartney at Colorado and Bo Schembechler at Michigan. Miles also played for Schembechler at Michigan from 1972-75.

He must be approved by the school's board of regents, which is to meet this week.