LSU Athletic Director Woodward Forced Out

**LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward Forced Out Amid Mulkey Contract Standoff, Governor’s Intervention**

BATON ROUGE, LA – Scott Woodward, Louisiana State University’s prominent Athletic Director, was officially forced out of his position on Thursday, throwing the university’s athletic department into immediate disarray. The sudden departure of the veteran AD, whose contract was set to run until 2026, has sent shockwaves across the campus and beyond, highlighting deep-seated tensions within LSU’s top athletic leadership.

The situation reportedly came to a head during a pivotal, high-stakes meeting on Wednesday night. Sources familiar with the discussion indicate the gathering included Woodward, LSU President William Tate IV, and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. Notably, Governor Landry also acts as an agent for LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey, whose ongoing, complicated contract extension negotiations have been a central point of contention.

During the Wednesday evening meeting, Woodward was reportedly presented with an ultimatum: accept a significantly less prominent role within the university’s administration or face termination. He allegedly refused both the offer of this “lateral move” and a proposed buyout package, leading directly to his abrupt departure less than 24 hours later.

The underlying causes for Woodward’s ouster appear to stem from a perceived lack of stability in some key sports programs under his tenure, with particular focus on the women’s basketball team. Mulkey’s contract situation has been a flashpoint, complicated by concerns surrounding Title IX compliance within the program and allegations of a “hostile environment” connected to the highly successful coach. These issues have reportedly weighed heavily on university leadership and, by extension, the Governor’s office.

Woodward, who previously served as Athletic Director at both Texas A&M University and the University of Washington, had been a fixture in major college athletics for years. His abrupt exit leaves a significant void at the helm of one of the nation’s most high-profile and financially robust athletic departments.

In the immediate aftermath, Deputy Athletic Director Stephanie Rempe is expected to step into the role of interim Athletic Director for the university. Rempe’s appointment signals a temporary measure as LSU navigates the unexpected leadership vacuum and begins the search for a permanent successor to Woodward.

The controversy surrounding Mulkey’s contract, coupled with allegations of systemic issues and the unprecedented involvement of the state’s governor in an athletic department’s internal personnel decisions, underscores a tumultuous period for LSU Athletics. The university has yet to issue a formal statement detailing Woodward’s departure or the timeline for a new AD search.