LSU AD Resigns After Kelly Firing, Governor’s Statement

BATON ROUGE, LA – LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward officially resigned Thursday night, culminating a turbulent week that saw the university fire its head football coach and the state’s governor publicly strip Woodward of his authority in the subsequent coaching search. His departure leaves the powerhouse athletic department facing a vacuum at its highest levels as it grapples with finding a new leader and a new head football coach for its storied football program.

Woodward’s resignation, effective immediately, came just four days after the university dismissed head football coach Brian Kelly, a high-profile hire Woodward championed less than three years ago. Adding significant pressure to the escalating situation, Woodward’s departure also followed by a single day a public statement from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who explicitly declared that Woodward would not be involved in the process of hiring Kelly’s replacement for the LSU Tigers.

“LSU thanks Scott for his contributions to our university and wishes him well in his future endeavors,” read a brief statement released by the university late Thursday, which did not elaborate on the reasons for his sudden exit. Deputy Athletic Director Verge Ausberry has been named interim Athletic Director.

The swift chain of events underscores the intense pressure and high stakes surrounding LSU athletics, particularly its football program, which commands national attention and fervent local support. Sources close to the university, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about internal matters, indicated that Governor Landry’s public pronouncement effectively made Woodward’s position untenable.

Woodward, 61, arrived at LSU in 2019 from Texas A&M, having previously served as AD at Washington and as a senior executive at the University of Tennessee. He built a reputation as a “closer” known for securing high-profile coaching talent and aggressive fundraising. His tenure at LSU was marked by several significant hires across various sports, including Kim Mulkey, who led the women’s basketball team to a national championship in 2023, and Jay Johnson, who guided the baseball team to a College World Series title in 2023.

His most notable and ultimately most scrutinized hire, however, was Brian Kelly in November 2021. Kelly, then head coach at Notre Dame, was lured to Baton Rouge with a massive 10-year, $95 million contract, signaling Woodward’s ambition to bring sustained football success back to LSU. Kelly finished with a 20-17 record over three seasons, including a 10-2 SEC record in his first year, but consistent underperformance against top rivals and mounting off-field issues led to increasing scrutiny. The decision to fire Kelly last Sunday, just before the end of the regular season, sent shockwaves through the college football world.

Governor Landry’s direct intervention on Wednesday, asserting state control over the coaching search, was widely seen as a public vote of no confidence in Woodward’s leadership for the critical task ahead. “I have made it clear that while LSU is a state university, the state of Louisiana belongs to the people, and therefore, I will not allow this crucial decision to be made in a backroom deal by the current athletic director,” Landry stated. “The people of Louisiana deserve transparency and accountability, and I will ensure that the next leader of our football program is chosen through a process that reflects those values.”

Woodward’s departure now means LSU must conduct searches for both a permanent athletic director and a new head football coach simultaneously, tasks that are among the most critical for any major university. The twin searches will undoubtedly draw national attention, with the university expected to prioritize candidates with proven track records of navigating high-pressure environments and building winning programs. The next AD will inherit a program with immense potential, but also one deeply enmeshed in the demanding expectations of its passionate fan base and the political landscape of Louisiana.