LSU Tigers Fire Athletic Director Scott Woodward
In a move that surprised absolutely no one paying attention, LSU has decided to part ways with Athletic Director Scott Woodward. This bombshell drops just days after the university canned Head Coach Brian Kelly, leaving the athletic department in a state of glorious, bayou-style chaos.
When the Governor Gets Involved, You Know It’s Bad
The whole saga turned into a public spectacle when Louisiana’s own Governor, Jeff Landry, decided to play armchair AD. At a press conference that felt more like a comedy roast, Landry made it crystal clear that Woodward would have less say in picking the next football coach than a random fan in Tiger Stadium’s nosebleed seats.
“Hell, I would let Donald Trump select it before I let him do it,” Landry said, serving up a soundbite for the ages.
Woodward, bless his heart, has a bit of a history with… let’s call them generous contracts. He was the architect behind Jimbo Fisher’s mammoth deal at Texas A&M, which ended in a $77 million buyout. Not to be outdone, he then handed Kelly a contract at LSU that left the school on the hook for a cool $53 million. That’s nearly $130 million in “thanks for your service” money between two coaches. You could buy a whole lot of crawfish with that kind of cash.
The Fallout In Baton Rouge
So now, LSU finds itself in a triple-decker of a pickle. They need a new president, a new athletic director, and a new head football coach. It’s the kind of leadership vacuum that makes you wonder who’s even in charge of ordering the Gatorade.
Verge Ausberry, a long-time LSU staple, is expected to step in as the interim AD. He’s got a big job ahead of him, trying to steer this ship through some very choppy waters.
Woodward’s LSU tenure, which began in 2019, wasn’t all bad. He made some splashy hires that paid off, most notably bringing in women’s basketball Coach Kim Mulkey, who delivered a national championship in 2023. He also snagged baseball Coach Jay Johnson. But in the world of SEC football, you’re judged by the big pigskin decisions, and Woodward’s have proven to be catastrophically expensive.
As of now, a formal separation agreement hasn’t been finalized, but Woodward is reportedly owed a $6.8 million buyout. It’s a hefty sum, but a mere drop in the bucket compared to the nine-figure severance packages he’s been handing out.
The search for a new coach, and now a new AD, promises to be the biggest reality show in college sports. Grab your popcorn, because things in Baton Rouge are just getting started. And with the Governor at the helm of the search committee, you can bet it’s going to be anything but boring.
