LSU Fires Brian Kelly, AD Scott Woodward

LSU fired head coach Brian Kelly and athletic director Scott Woodward after the program failed to meet College Football Playoff expectations. Verge Ausberry was named interim athletic director and will co-lead a five-person search committee including John Carmouche, Scott Ballard, E.J. Kuiper and Ben Bordelon, with the new LSU president potentially added. Kelly’s exit carries a roughly $53–54 million buyout that drew public scrutiny from Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, though board members say the athletic department and private funds — not state taxpayers — will cover it. Multiple current and former players and staff publicly criticized Kelly’s leadership, accusing him of aloofness, damaging program culture and hindering in‑state recruiting. Early coaching speculation lists Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz as an early betting favorite for the job while Lane Kiffin and others are linked elsewhere, and Kelly’s name is being discussed for other openings. LSU officials say the next hire must restore culture, fill seats and return the Tigers to consistent national relevance and College Football Playoff contention.