LSU names Ausberry AD, Rempe COO; bolsters coaching

Baton Rouge, La. – LSU officially solidified its athletic department leadership on Monday, June 10th, naming Verge Ausberry as its full-time Athletic Director. Ausberry, who had been serving as interim AD, now permanently takes the helm, reporting directly to LSU President William F. Tate IV. The appointment is part of a broader restructuring that also sees Stephanie Rempe elevated to Chief Operating Officer for LSU Athletics, reporting directly to Ausberry.

Ausberry brings a deep understanding of LSU to the role, having served as Senior Deputy AD since 2017. A former Tiger linebacker, he played for LSU in the 1980s and boasts nearly two decades of experience in collegiate athletics leadership, offering extensive institutional knowledge and a strong connection to the university’s heritage.

“Verge Ausberry embodies the spirit of LSU, both as a former student-athlete and through his nearly 20 years of dedicated service to our athletic department,” President Tate said in a statement regarding the appointment. “His institutional knowledge, relationships across the state and nation, and steadfast commitment to our student-athletes and coaches make him the ideal leader to guide LSU Athletics into its next era of unparalleled success. This permanent appointment signals a new chapter of stability and focused leadership.”

The appointments follow what sources close to the department described as “a week of chaos” within LSU Athletics, leading to a pressing need for clear direction and a unified leadership front. The new leadership structure is expected to immediately address critical ongoing matters, including the stalled contract extension negotiations for head football coach Brian Kelly, which are now anticipated to move forward with renewed clarity and purpose under Ausberry’s direct oversight.

“It is an incredible honor and a privilege to be named the Athletic Director for LSU, a place that has been home to me for decades,” Ausberry said. “I am deeply committed to upholding the championship tradition of the Tigers across all our programs and ensuring our student-athletes receive the best possible experience, both academically and athletically. My priority is to foster a culture of excellence, support our world-class coaches, and navigate the evolving landscape of college athletics with integrity and vision.”

Stephanie Rempe, who joined LSU in 2021 and previously held positions as Senior Associate AD and Executive Deputy AD, will now serve as Chief Operating Officer. In her new role, Rempe will oversee strategic operations, ensuring efficiency, alignment, and robust support across the department’s various functions and initiatives.

“I am thrilled to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer and work alongside Verge to advance LSU Athletics,” Rempe stated. “My focus will be on optimizing our operations and supporting our coaches and staff, allowing them to excel and provide our student-athletes with every resource they need to succeed in their respective sports and beyond.”

The new leadership team’s immediate focus will be on strengthening LSU’s coaching infrastructure, ensuring the recruitment and retention of top-tier talent across all sports, and providing comprehensive support for athletes navigating Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities and the transfer portal. The aim is to bolster LSU’s position as a premier athletic institution nationally, ensuring sustained success on and off the field.