LSU AD Search: Georgia’s Brooks Out of Running

**Josh Brooks Reaffirms Commitment to Georgia, Withdraws from LSU Athletic Director Search**

**ATHENS, GA** – Josh Brooks, the architect behind a period of unprecedented success for University of Georgia athletics, has officially withdrawn his name from consideration for the open Athletic Director position at Louisiana State University, reaffirming his commitment to the Bulldogs. Despite strong ties to LSU as an alumnus, Brooks will remain in Athens, where he has overseen a dominant run across UGA’s athletic programs since taking the helm in January 2021.

The decision brings a level of stability to Georgia athletics, coming less than two months after Brooks signed a lucrative contract extension in February 2024. That deal secures his leadership through June 2030 and elevates his annual salary to $1 million, a clear indication of UGA’s commitment to retaining him.

Under Brooks’s tenure, Georgia’s athletic department has reached new heights. The football program notably captured back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022, solidifying its place among the nation’s elite. Beyond football, multiple UGA teams, including baseball, gymnastics, and track & field, have achieved significant national success, while the department has continued to focus on facility enhancements and robust fundraising efforts.

“My family and I are incredibly happy in Athens, and I am fully committed to the University of Georgia and our outstanding student-athletes, coaches, and staff,” Brooks said in a sentiment shared among UGA leadership. His deep understanding of the SEC landscape and his history within Georgia’s athletic department are widely credited for his effective leadership. Brooks initially joined UGA in 2004, serving in various capacities including Director of Football Operations, Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations, and Executive Associate Athletic Director, before being named Deputy Athletic Director in 2017 and eventually succeeding Greg McGarity as AD.

LSU, meanwhile, continues its search for a new athletic director following Scott Woodward’s departure on March 27, 2024. Woodward left Baton Rouge to assume the same role at rival Texas A&M, leaving a significant void. During his tenure at LSU, Woodward made high-profile hires, most notably bringing Brian Kelly aboard as head football coach in November 2021, and oversaw substantial infrastructure projects.

Brooks earned his undergraduate degree from LSU, leading to speculation that his alma mater might lure him back. However, his decision to stay with the Bulldogs underscores his strong ties to the institution and the momentum he has built in Athens. LSU’s search for its next athletic director is expected to continue with a broad pool of candidates, as the institution seeks a leader capable of guiding its high-profile athletic programs in the fiercely competitive Southeastern Conference.