Landry Directs LSU Board to Hire Coach, Chair Unaware

BATON ROUGE, LA – Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry ignited a flurry of confusion and speculation on Wednesday, March 27, after publicly stating he had “tasked” the LSU Board of Supervisors with the job of hiring the university’s next football coach. The remarks, made during a press conference on state budget matters, immediately drew a bewildered response from the very body he claimed to have directed.

Scott Ballard, who chairs the LSU Board of Supervisors, openly admitted he was completely unaware of any such directive from the Governor. “I have no idea what he’s talking about,” Ballard told reporters following Landry’s comments, underscoring a clear disconnect between the state’s highest office and the university’s governing board.

The discussion surrounding LSU’s future football coach came as a particular surprise given that Brian Kelly is currently leading the Tigers’ program. Kelly, now in his third season, has an impressive 20-7 record over his first two years in Baton Rouge, including an SEC West title in 2022 and a 10-3 finish in 2023, highlighted by quarterback Jayden Daniels winning the Heisman Trophy. Kelly’s contract runs through the 2031 season.

Governor Landry, who took office in January, is known for his assertive and hands-on political style. His unprompted declaration about the football program, however, deviates sharply from the typical protocol for such decisions. The hiring of a head football coach at LSU is traditionally spearheaded by the athletic director, Scott Woodward, with the Board of Supervisors providing final approval. A governor directly instructing the board on an operational hire, especially when a successful coach is already in place, is highly unusual.

Following the initial reports, Governor Landry’s office later offered a clarification, suggesting the governor’s remarks were made “colloquially” or “facetiously” rather than as a literal directive. This attempt to temper the situation did little to quell the immediate confusion and ongoing debate among fans, media, and university stakeholders about the nature and intent of his original statement.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is appointed by the Governor, giving the office significant influence over the university’s governance. However, direct operational commands of this nature are rare and typically avoided to maintain the university’s institutional autonomy. The incident has cast a spotlight on the relationship between the new gubernatorial administration and one of the state’s most prominent institutions, particularly its beloved athletics program.

As of Thursday, March 28, there was no indication of any change in Brian Kelly’s status as head coach, and the LSU athletic department has not issued any public statements regarding Governor Landry’s remarks. The incident remains a peculiar footnote in the early days of the Landry administration, leaving many to wonder about the true message behind the governor’s unexpected declaration.