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  • LSU Fires Athletic Director Scott Woodward Amid Political Fallout and Coaching Turmoil

LSU Fires Athletic Director Scott Woodward Amid Political Fallout and Coaching Turmoil

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(BCSNN) — LSU announced Thursday night that it has parted ways with Athletic Director Scott Woodward, just days after firing head football coach Brian Kelly. The move comes amid escalating public criticism from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and signals a dramatic shift in leadership for one of college athletics’ most prominent programs.

Verge Ausberry, LSU’s executive deputy athletic director, will serve as interim AD and oversee the search for Kelly’s replacement. LSU will hold a press conference Friday at 9 a.m. ET to address the change.

"We thank Scott for the last six years of service as athletic director," Scott Ballard, LSU's board of supervisors chair said in the school's statement. "He had a lot of success at LSU, and we wish him nothing but the best in the future. Our focus now is on moving the athletic department forward and best positioning LSU to achieve its full potential."

Woodward’s ouster follows a week of pointed remarks from Gov. Landry, who stated Wednesday that Woodward would not be involved in hiring LSU’s next football coach. On Thursday’s “Pat McAfee Show,” Landry cited “a number of bad contracts” tied to Woodward, including the $54 million buyout owed to Kelly and the $77 million buyout LSU paid to Jimbo Fisher during Woodward’s tenure at Texas A&M.

Sources expect Woodward to receive a payout of more than $6 million on his LSU contract.

Woodward, an LSU alumnus with a political background, had served as athletic director since 2019. His tenure included the hiring of Kim Mulkey, who led LSU to its first women’s basketball national title in 2023, and the firing of men’s basketball coach Will Wade. Mulkey declined to attend Thursday’s postgame press conference, with assistant Bob Starkey stating she was “heartbroken” over Woodward’s departure.

The leadership shakeup leaves LSU navigating simultaneous searches for a new football coach and permanent athletic director — both under intense scrutiny from state officials and stakeholders. Imagine how much fun this will be when we introduce the interests of private equity firms into our athletic departments.

This article originally appeared in its entirety as a feature on BCSNN.