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Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced Wednesday that LSU athletic director Scott Woodward would be stripped of his authority in the school’s search for the next football coach.
LSU is pursuing a new football coach after deciding this week to part ways with Brian Kelly. Woodward announced Kelly’s departure Sunday, a day after the Tigers’ 49-25 loss to Texas A&M.
Kelly left Notre Dame after the 2021 season and ultimately spent fewer than four full seasons in Baton Rouge.
“We had high hopes that he would lead us to multiple SEC and national championships during his time in Baton Rouge,” Woodward said in the release. “Ultimately, the level of success that LSU requires simply did not materialize and I made the decision to make a change after last night’s game.”
LSU continues to finish Kelly’s $54 million buyout, a figure Landry has criticized.
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Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said Wednesday that LSU athletic director Scott Woodward would be stripped of his authority in the school’s search for the next football coach. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
“We’re not going down a failed path,” Landry said Wednesday during a press conference. “The guy that’s here now that wrote that contract cost Texas A&M $77 million. Right now we have a liability of $53 million. We’re not doing that again.”
The $77 million figure Landry mentioned was a reference to former Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher, whom Woodward hired and whose contract negotiations he oversaw. According to multiple reports, private donors may be tapped to cover some of the costs of Kelly’s buyout, which could be further offset if Kelly lands another coaching job.
Woodward has served as LSU’s athletic director since 2019. The school paid Ed Orgeron a buyout of more than $17 million following his firing in 2021.
LSU head football coach Brian Kelly, right, talks with LSU athletic director Scott Woodward before the game at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC (LSU Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)
“No. I can tell you right now, Scott Woodward is not picking the next coach,” Landry said. “I let [President] Donald Trump will elect him before I let him.”
‘FORCE THEM TO BEAT $15M.’
The Republican governor added, “The Board of Supervisors is going to come up with a committee and they’re going to find us a coach.” Members of the Board or appointed by the Governor.
Pakinomist Digital reached out to the LSU athletics department for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly stands on the sidelines during a game against Vanderbilt on Oct. 18 in Nashville. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Landry made it clear that the Tigers’ next coach would be “properly compensated.” However, he called for placing “metrics” on the agreement.
“I’m tired of rewarding failure in this country,” the governor said.
Landry also confirmed that he participated in talks about a coaching change that led to Kelly’s removal.
“My role is about the fiscal impact of firing a coach under a terrible contract,” he said Wednesday. “All I care about is what the taxpayers will be on the hook for.”
Despite LSU’s efforts to increase funding to pay transfer players, Kelly largely failed to live up to expectations of competing for a national championship.
LSU is currently on a bye week; Alabama hosts the Tigers on Nov. 8.
