Overview
- The Board approved Wade Rousse as system president and James Dalton as chancellor in a return to split leadership last combined in 2012, with a reported 12–1 vote.
- On his first day, Rousse decided to remove Verge Ausberry’s interim tag and name him permanent athletic director, according to multiple reports, with a formal announcement expected.
- Ausberry maintains full authority over the department and is leading the search to replace fired football coach Brian Kelly, with a committee already in place.
- LSU still owes Kelly about $54 million through 2031 under his contract, an amount that could be negotiated, heightening scrutiny of prior athletic agreements.
- Rousse, a McNeese State leader with a business-focused profile, has drawn mixed reactions on campus and questions about political influence tied to Gov. Jeff Landry’s allies.