Landry Seizes Control of LSU Coach Search

LSU fired head coach Brian Kelly after a 5–3 start in 2025, including a 49–25 loss to Texas A&M; his 10-year, $95 million contract carries an estimated $53–54 million buyout that is still being negotiated. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry publicly rebuked athletic director Scott Woodward, said Woodward will not select the program’s next head coach, and acknowledged he hosted LSU officials at the Governor’s Mansion to discuss Kelly’s firing and the buyout. Landry said the LSU Board of Supervisors will form a committee to run the search, blasted costly coaching contracts and agent influence, and urged future deals to include performance metrics. The governor made the remarks on-mic during a press conference about SNAP benefits, drawing national attention and concerns that public political intervention could chill top candidates such as Lane Kiffin and Rhett Lashlee. The situation is further complicated by LSU lacking a permanent university president, Frank Wilson serving as interim coach, ongoing negotiations over Woodward’s separation terms, and renewed public outrage over prior buyouts critics attribute to Woodward’s contract decisions.