LSU athletic director Scott Woodward is not going to be hiring the Tigers’ subsequent soccer coach, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry mentioned Wednesday.
Landry, throughout a information convention relating to state-funded help for Louisianans amid the federal government shutdown, was requested by a reporter about his position within the firing of Brian Kelly and the hiring of LSU’s subsequent coach.
When requested about Woodward, Landry emphasised that the athletic director, a place that historically hires coaches, wouldn’t make the choice this time.
“I can let you know proper now, Scott Woodward just isn’t deciding on the following coach,” Landry mentioned. “Hell, I’ll let Donald Trump choose it earlier than I let him do it.”
Landry mentioned LSU’s board of supervisors would kind a search committee to pick the following coach.
That was information to LSU board chair Scott Ballard. When requested by WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge afterward Wednesday for feedback about Landry’s declare that the board would run the search, Ballard mentioned “No, I didn’t know that.”
On the following steps for the board, Ballard informed the station, “Subsequent steps are we’re gonna go rent the most effective coach for Louisiana State College, I promise you. Go Tigers!”
LSU Board of Supervisor’s chair Scott Ballard reacts to Governor Jeff Landry’s assertion relating to the seek for the following head LSU soccer coach.
to study extra: https://t.co/BbLDa8zAl7 pic.twitter.com/KM8h0K2OJ6
— WBRZ Information (@WBRZ) October 29, 2025
Landry additionally expressed frustration with the buyout LSU faces after firing Kelly on Sunday. Kelly’s contract, a 10-year, $100 million deal that was signed in 2021, was 90 % assured. LSU may owe Kelly as a lot as $53 million, although Kelly has offset language that would mitigate the buyout if he takes one other job.
“We’re not happening a failed path,” Landry mentioned concerning the subsequent LSU coach’s contract. “It is a sample that received us right here. The man (Woodward) that wrote that contract, price Texas A&M $77 million. Proper now, we’ve received a $53 million legal responsibility. We’re not doing that once more.”
I wish to reiterate I’m not selecting the following coach at LSU.
As Governor, it’s my accountability to guard the hard-earned tax {dollars} our residents pay to the state. Everybody acknowledges the super sum of money at stake—cash that our residents may very well be on the hook for. In… pic.twitter.com/GawaKVouQB
— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) October 29, 2025
Woodward, whereas AD at Texas A&M, signed Jimbo Fisher to a 10-year, $75 million totally assured contract in 2017. That deal was later prolonged by his successor at A&M, Ross Bjork, in 2021 to a 10-year settlement price almost $95 million and was additionally totally assured. A&M fired Fisher in 2023 after three consecutive underwhelming seasons and roughly $77 million left on the prolonged contract.
Woodward has a fame of constructing splashy teaching hires all through his profession. At Washington, Woodward lured Chris Petersen — broadly thought to be among the best coaches within the nation throughout his profession — from Boise State in 2013. Petersen later took the Huskies to the School Soccer Playoff in 2016.
At Texas A&M, Woodward employed Fisher in 2017 and Buzz Williams to teach males’s basketball in 2019. Woodward, an LSU alumnus, made three main hires in 2021: hiring Kelly away from Notre Dame, Kim Mulkey to steer the ladies’s basketball staff and Jay Johnson to steer the baseball staff. Johnson has taken the Tigers to 2 nationwide championships since his arrival in Baton Rouge and Mulkey gained one for the Tigers in 2023.
LSU gained the SEC West Division in 2022, Kelly’s first 12 months with the Tigers, and gained 10 video games in every of his first two seasons. However they went 9-4 final 12 months and are 5-3 this season, having fallen out of the highest 25 after reaching as excessive as No. 3 within the Related Press ballot. With Kelly’s struggles of late and Fisher’s decline at Texas A&M earlier than their firings, critics have questioned Woodward’s monitor report and the big assured contracts he has awarded.
Landry additionally mentioned he wouldn’t be deciding on LSU’s subsequent coach.
“I’m not going to be selecting the following coach,” he mentioned. “However I can promise you that we’re going to select a coach, and we’re going to make it possible for that coach is profitable. And we’re going to make it possible for he’s compensated correctly, and we’re going to place metrics on it as a result of I’m uninterested in rewarding failure on this nation after which leaving the taxpayers to foot the invoice.”
Landry has been vocal about LSU soccer not too long ago and has appeared to exert some affect over decision-making since LSU is presently led by an interim president. Former college president William Tate IV left earlier this 12 months for Rutgers College and LSU tabbed Matt Lee as interim president.
Late Saturday evening, after the Tigers misplaced 49-25 at house to Texas A&M, Landry posted on X questioning the athletic division’s resolution to boost ticket costs amid poor on-field outcomes.
I believe @LSUsports and the LSU Board of Supervisors must rethink their actions to boost ticket costs for subsequent 12 months after tonight’s exhibiting!
— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) October 26, 2025
The subsequent day, he hosted a gathering on the governor’s mansion to debate Kelly’s buyout as the varsity ready to fireside him, calling it a gathering to debate “the legalities” of the contract.
“My position is concerning the fiscal impact of firing a coach below a horrible contract,” Landry mentioned. “All I care about is what the taxpayers are going to be on the hook on (for). I used to be additionally not pleased with the truth that we had been elevating ticket costs whereas we had been having a dropping season and we had been paying a coach $100 million and we weren’t getting the outcomes.
“Now, look, I’ve no animus in opposition to Brian Kelly. … However I believe that it had gotten to the purpose — and I believe they realized that — that the spirit of the staff wanted a change. And in order that change was made and we’re going to maneuver on. We’re with out a president proper now at LSU, and I’m hoping that the board of supervisors will get us (a coach) in a short time.”
