Louisiana Governor Criticizes LSU AD Over Multimillion-Dollar Coaching Decisions Amid Football Program Shakeup

The 2025 LSU football season took a major hit with the firing of head coach Brian Kelly following a blowout loss, leaving the coaching position open amid controversy. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has significantly intervened in the coaching search, declaring that LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward will not select the next head coach, a role traditionally held by the AD. Landry criticized Woodward's previous costly hires, including Brian Kelly and Jimbo Fisher, which resulted in massive buyouts totaling over $120 million, and expressed concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers. The governor announced that the LSU Board of Supervisors would form a search committee to find the new coach, which has stirred backlash from local figures who view Landry's involvement as a disruptive spectacle. Landry's public remarks, including a quip about preferring former President Donald Trump to choose the coach, have raised questions about the future direction of LSU football and the challenges in landing a top coach without offering lucrative contracts. The situation underscores tensions between state government control and university athletic administration in managing LSU's football program.