Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced on Wednesday that LSU athletic director Scott Woodward will not be involved in selecting the university’s next football coach, citing concerns over previous costly contracts and buyouts that have burdened taxpayers.
Landry made the declaration during a press conference at the state capitol in Baton Rouge, where he expressed his dissatisfaction with Woodward’s track record in hiring coaches. He emphasized that the decision aims to avoid repeating financial mistakes that have led to massive payouts, and he even joked that he would prefer President Trump to make the selection over Woodward due to his affinity for winners. The governor’s remarks came just days after LSU fired head coach Brian Kelly, signaling a major shift in the athletic department’s approach.
The governor specifically pointed to the 10-year, $95 million contract Woodward negotiated with Brian Kelly, which resulted in a $54 million buyout after Kelly was fired on Sunday. Kelly’s tenure ended with a 5-3 record this season, including a recent 49-25 loss to Texas A&M that dropped the Tigers from a No. 3 ranking earlier in the year. Landry criticized the timing of the firing and the financial implications for the state, noting that the team had lost three of its last four games, which undermined fan confidence and raised questions about the program’s direction.
Landry highlighted a pattern in Woodward’s career, referencing his time as athletic director at Texas A&M, where he secured Jimbo Fisher with a contract that eventually led to a $76 million buyout. This history, Landry argued, demonstrates a need for new oversight in LSU’s hiring process to prevent similar fiscal liabilities. He stated, ‘We are not going down a failed path,’ underscoring his commitment to change and accountability in athletic department spending. The governor’s criticism extended to what he perceived as a culture of rewarding failure, which he believes has become too common in college sports.
To facilitate the search, Landry proposed that the LSU Board of Supervisors form a committee to identify and hire the next coach. However, board chairman Scott Ballard later stated he was unaware of this plan, indicating potential confusion or disagreement within the university’s leadership. Ballard affirmed that the board would hire the best coach for LSU but did not confirm the committee structure Landry described, suggesting that internal discussions are ongoing. This discrepancy highlights the complexities of governance in public university athletics and the balancing act between political oversight and institutional autonomy.
The governor also addressed broader issues, criticizing the rise in ticket prices during losing seasons and the financial strain on taxpayers from coaching buyouts. He vowed to implement performance-based metrics in future contracts to ensure accountability, saying, ‘I’m tired of rewarding failure in this country and then leaving the taxpayers to foot the bill.’ Landry met with LSU officials Sunday night to discuss the legalities of Kelly’s firing and the buyout, emphasizing that his role is primarily focused on mitigating fiscal risks for Louisiana residents. His comments reflect a growing trend of scrutiny over public funding in college athletics.
Despite the criticism, Landry expressed confidence in finding a qualified coach who can lead LSU to success. Potential candidates for the position include Ole Miss’s Lane Kiffin, Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who previously served in that role during LSU’s 2019 national championship season. The upcoming coaching carousel is expected to be highly competitive, with LSU at the center of attention as it seeks to rebuild its program. Landry assured that the new coach would be compensated properly but with clear performance expectations to avoid past pitfalls.
This move by Landry represents a significant intervention in college athletics governance, potentially setting a precedent for how public universities manage high-stakes coaching hires and financial risks. It reflects growing scrutiny over athletic department spending and could influence similar decisions at other institutions facing budget pressures and performance issues. As LSU navigates this transition, the outcome will be closely watched for its implications on coaching contracts, taxpayer accountability, and the balance of power between state officials and university administrations in major sports programs.