LSU Ousts AD Scott Woodward After Kelly Firing

LSU athletic director Scott Woodward, an alum who led the department since 2019 and presided over multiple national titles in other sports, was forced out days after football coach Brian Kelly was fired. Longtime administrator Verge Ausberry was named interim athletic director to lead the national search for Kelly’s replacement. Governor Jeff Landry publicly said Woodward would not be involved in the hire and criticized his pattern of costly contracts, even suggesting outside input from former President Trump. Financial fallout includes Kelly’s buyout of roughly $53 million and Woodward being contractually owed about $5–6.4 million; Woodward also previously signed deals that left Texas A&M with about $77.5 million in liability. The coaching search has generated wide speculation with names floated including Lane Kiffin, Nick Saban, Dan Lanning, James Franklin, Joe Brady and Tulane’s Jon Sumrall. The upheaval extends beyond football as LSU is also conducting a presidential search, leaving multiple top leadership roles in flux.