Landry Removes LSU AD From Coach Search

LSU fired head coach Brian Kelly after a 5–3 start in 2025 that included a 49–25 loss to Texas A&M; he was 34–14 at LSU under a 10-year, $95 million contract and his buyout is estimated at about $53–54 million with negotiations ongoing and reports that private donors may cover much of the payout. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced that athletic director Scott Woodward will not select the program’s next head coach and said the LSU Board of Supervisors will form a committee to run the search. Landry blamed Woodward for a “pattern” of high-cost, long-term deals, cited the Jimbo Fisher payout at roughly $76–77 million, and said future contracts should include performance metrics and fewer guaranteed dollars. Landry also quipped he would "let President Trump pick it" before Woodward, underscoring political pressure and a rare state intervention in athletic-department autonomy. LSU’s board chair said members were surprised but will proceed; Woodward said only that separation terms are being negotiated, and the dispute has reignited debate over accountability and taxpayer exposure in college athletics.