LSU Tigers’ coaching search gets major update as Jeff Landry makes clear statement on AD Scott Woodward

The LSU Tigers’ brain trust, which includes Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, is heavily involved in the team’s search for its next head football coach. LSU fired Brian Kelly after the team’s recent 49-25 loss to the TAMU Aggies in Death Valley this past Saturday night.

The program is not allowing AD Scott Woodward to make the choice, but according to Footballscoop’s John Brice’s reporting on Tuesday, deputy AD Verge Ausberry will have a prominent role in the search.

“First order of business, is actually somewhat complicated. LSU is nearing a selection for a new President of the University. Once that is done (possibly as soon as two weeks from now), there should be clarity about how much influence Scott Woodward will have on this search. As you will hear in the podcast below, sources tell FootballScoop Deputy AD Verge Ausberry will have a significant role and voice in this search,” Brice wrote.

Landry made it clear on Wednesday that Woodward’s decision-making at LSU is anything but respected.

“I can tell you right now, Scott Woodward is not selecting the next coach,” Landy said. “Hell, I’ll let (U.S. President) Donald Trump select him before I let him select him.”

Jeff Landry’s comments seal Scott Woodward’s future at LSU

Brice’s reporting alone was enough evidence that Woodward had lost any control or standing in Baton Rouge. Landry’s comments made that perfectly clear.

While Woodward hired Kim Mulkey and Jay Johnson, leading to championships in women’s basketball and baseball, football is king at LSU. That Woodward misfired so badly on Kelly, spending money that the state doesn’t exactly have hand over fist, sealed Woodward’s fate.

Woodward’s official departure is coming, but it’ll have to wait until a successor to William Tate, who left this May to accept the job as Rutgers' school president, is named. The search is down to three finalists: Robert Robbins, Wade Rousse, and James Dalton.