Overview
- LSU announced it has parted ways with athletic director Scott Woodward and installed longtime administrator Verge Ausberry as interim with authority to run the department and hire the next football coach.
- The Board of Supervisors outlined a search committee of Ausberry, athletics committee chair John Carmouche, board chair Scott Ballard, former player and booster Ben Bordelon, and hospital executive EJ Kuiper, with one member still to be named.
- Governor Jeff Landry said Woodward would not choose the coach and emphasized taxpayer exposure tied to Brian Kelly’s estimated $53–54 million buyout, after convening stakeholders earlier in the week.
- Board leaders said Woodward’s separation terms are still being negotiated and will be covered by self-generated athletic funds or private donations rather than state appropriations.
- Contracts for Kelly and Woodward include mitigation provisions, and with finances still being negotiated, Landry has urged performance-based deals as Ausberry focuses on landing the best available coach.