LSU Interim AD: Coach Must Bring Annual Title Contention

**LSU Athletics Demands Annual National Title Contention, AD Search Intensifies**

**BATON ROUGE, LA – October 25, 2021** – LSU’s interim athletic leadership has laid down a clear marker for the future: the Tigers’ football program will operate with an expectation of national championship contention every single year. Verge Ausberry, serving as Interim Athletic Director and Executive Deputy AD, delivered this bold vision to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club on Monday, October 25th, as the university continues its high-stakes search for a new head football coach.

Ausberry’s definitive remarks underscore the immense pressure and ambition driving LSU at a pivotal moment. Just over a week prior, on October 17th, the university announced that current Head Coach Ed Orgeron would conclude the 2021 season before mutually parting ways with the program, signaling the end of an era that included a historic 2019 national championship.

The search for Orgeron’s successor is focused on finding a leader who can bring “stability” to the program for the “next 15 years,” Ausberry emphasized, highlighting the desire for a long-term fixture in Baton Rouge. He projected that the comprehensive search process would likely span another “four to five weeks,” suggesting an announcement could materialize by late November or early December.

While Ausberry oversees day-to-day operations in Baton Rouge, he confirmed that the ultimate authority on the coaching hire rests with full-time Athletic Director Scott Woodward. Woodward, currently sidelined due to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, is reportedly still actively guiding the critical search from a distance.

The expectations articulated by Ausberry reflect the deep-rooted pride and recent unparalleled success of LSU football, particularly the undefeated 2019 national championship season. He stressed that the ideal candidate must possess an intrinsic understanding of the unique “culture” of LSU and Louisiana football. Beyond cultural fit, the new coach must also be a proven, top-tier recruiter capable of attracting elite talent, not only from within the fertile recruiting grounds of the state but also across the national landscape.

Ausberry also moved to quash any concerns about financial limitations, assuring the audience that “money won’t be an issue.” This statement signals LSU’s readiness to invest significant resources to secure an elite coach capable of consistently delivering on the program’s lofty expectations. Ultimately, the new leader must be equipped to thrive under the intense scrutiny and pressure inherent to the head coaching position at Tiger Stadium, a venue known for its passionate fanbase and demanding environment.

The pursuit of a coach who can navigate these high expectations and ensure perennial title contention sets a formidable standard for the university as it looks to solidify its standing among college football’s elite for years to come.