Things just got a little more interesting for the LSU Tigers football program.
Less than a week after head coach Brian Kelly was fired following LSU’s 49-25 loss to No. 3 Texas A&M — a game the Tigers led 18-14 at halftime — the school announced another major shakeup to its athletic department.
According to Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, LSU plans to part ways with athletic director Scott Woodward — the same AD who cost Texas A&M $77.5 million with Jimbo Fisher’s buyout and now has LSU on the hook for $54 million with Kelly’s buyout.
“LSU and AD Scott Woodward are finalizing an exit agreement, sources tell @YahooSports,” Dellenger reported. “Longtime LSU athletic administrator Verge Ausberry is expected to serve as the interim athletic director.
“LSU is expected to comply with the obligations in Woodward’s contract, sources tell @YahooSports,” Dellenger added. “According to Woodward’s contract, he is owed roughly $6.4 million. The school may announce the separation as soon as Friday.”
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The news of Woodward’s firing comes just one day after Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry publicly stated Woodward wouldn’t be allowed to hire Kelly’s replacement.
“No, I can tell you right now Scott Woodward is not selecting our next coach,” Landry told reporters, via ESPN. “I’m not going to be picking the next coach, but I can promise you we’re going to pick a coach and we’re going to make sure that that coach is successful.
“We’re going to make sure that he’s compensated properly, and we’re going to put metrics on it because I’m tired of rewarding failure in this country and then leaving the taxpayers to foot the bill.”
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Woodward signed Kelly to a 10-year, $95 million contract back in 2021 when it lured him away from Notre Dame, where he won 92 games, four bowl games, and appeared in one BCS national championship game, which was later vacated.
In three-plus seasons, Kelly had a 34-14 record with three bowl wins but zero College Football Playoff appearances.
Among the rumored favorites to succeed Kelly at LSU are Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall (+150), Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady (+200), Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin (+400), former Penn State head coach James Franklin (+600), Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz (+900), and Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm, (+1600), according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
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