Verge Ausberry Given Full Authority in LSU Coaching Search

LSU has named Verge Ausberry interim athletic director with full authority to lead the search for its next head football coach after firing Brian Kelly following an Oct. 25 loss that left the team 5–3. Athletic director Scott Woodward has mutually parted ways with LSU; he had hired Kelly and signed him to a long-term, high-value contract, and Kelly is owed roughly $53–$54 million. Governor Jeff Landry publicly criticized previous contract structures and Woodward's role, but board members said he was not involved in Woodward's exit and emphasized that athletic contracts are funded by athletics revenue and donors, not state taxpayer dollars. Ausberry, a multi-time LSU alumnus, former standout linebacker and longtime senior athletics administrator who served as executive deputy athletic director and executive director of external relations, was called by the board the ideal interim leader. He said his priorities are stabilizing the program and hiring “the best football coach there is,” while LSU aims to put recent controversies behind it and refocus on consistent on-field success.