LSU AD Woodward Fired Over Attempt to Oust Kelly

**LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward Fired After Attempted Ouster of Football Coach Brian Kelly; Governor Intervenes**

**BATON ROUGE, LA – March 7, 2024 –** LSU athletic director Scott Woodward was fired Thursday, March 7, following a week of intense internal strife that reportedly stemmed from his attempt to dismiss head football coach Brian Kelly just days prior. The dramatic development, confirmed by sources close to the university, saw Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry directly intervene, ultimately leading to Woodward’s dismissal rather than Kelly’s.

Woodward, who arrived at LSU in 2019, was notified of his termination after the LSU Board of Supervisors convened. Stephanie Rempe, previously Deputy AD and Chief Operating Officer, has been named interim athletic director. Kelly, meanwhile, remains at the helm of the Tigers’ football program.

The crisis reportedly began Monday, March 4, when Woodward made moves to fire Coach Kelly. While LSU officials have remained tight-lipped regarding the specifics, multiple sources cited in reports indicate that the primary reason for Woodward’s attempted move against Kelly was an alleged “pattern of inappropriate behavior” by the coach. Details of these alleged behaviors have not been publicly disclosed.

However, terminating Kelly posed an immense financial challenge for the university. Kelly signed a massive 10-year, $95 million contract in November 2021, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football. If he were to be fired without cause, LSU would have been on the hook for a staggering $72.8 million buyout, a sum that would have significantly impacted the university’s athletic department budget.

It was at this critical juncture that Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry reportedly stepped in. According to well-placed sources, Gov. Landry advised the LSU Board of Supervisors against firing Kelly, citing the significant financial implications and the potential disruption to the state’s most visible athletic program. Following this high-level intervention, the Board instead voted to remove Woodward.

Woodward’s tenure at LSU was marked by several high-profile and successful coaching hires, solidifying his reputation as a “CEO AD.” Beyond luring Brian Kelly from Notre Dame, he was instrumental in bringing in women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey, who led the Tigers to a national championship in 2023, and baseball coach Jay Johnson, who also secured a national title in 2023. These hires significantly elevated LSU’s athletic profile across multiple sports.

Despite the recent internal turmoil, Brian Kelly has guided the LSU football program to a respectable 20-7 overall record in his two seasons. In 2022, his inaugural year, the Tigers finished 10-4, capturing the SEC West title. They followed that with another 10-3 record in 2023, securing victories in both seasons’ bowl games. The program’s on-field performance, coupled with the exorbitant buyout clause, likely played a significant role in the decision to retain Kelly.

The abrupt departure of Woodward sends shockwaves through the SEC and the broader college sports landscape, underscoring the immense pressure and high stakes involved in managing major athletic programs, especially when political influence comes into play. The university now faces the challenge of finding a permanent athletic director to navigate its prestigious but often turbulent athletic department.