Landry bars Woodward from LSU coach search, cites costly contracts

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said Wednesday that LSU athletic director Scott Woodward will not help pick the school’s next football coach.

Considering LSU is without a school president or an interim, everything Landry has said is certainly within his power as governor. His concern is more about the numbers, though, not wins and losses.

Landry said Woodward’s history of expensive contracts and large buyouts has cost LSU too much money.

“We are not going down a failed path,” Landry said during remarks at the State Capitol. “The guy that’s here now that wrote that contract cost Texas A&M 70-some million dollars. Right now, we’ve got a $53 million liability. We are not doing that again.”

Woodward approved a 10-year, $95 million deal for former coach Brian Kelly, who was fired Sunday night after four seasons.

LSU’s buyout obligation is expected to top $52 million, one of the largest in college football.

“Scott Woodward is not selecting our next coach,” Landry said. “Hell, I’ll let Donald Trump select him before I let him do it.”

His remarks drew laughter but made clear he intends to limit Woodward’s role.

Woodward has not commented publicly on Landry’s criticism. LSU officials said discussions are continuing on the terms of Kelly’s separation agreement.

Governor cites pattern of expensive deals

Landry said the decision was about protecting LSU and its fans from another costly mistake.

He pointed to Woodward’s previous stop at Texas A&M, where he gave Jimbo Fisher a 10-year, $75 million contract that led to a record $76 million buyout when Fisher was fired in 2023.

“This is about accountability,” Landry said. “We’ve got to stop writing blank checks for coaches who don’t meet expectations.”

Brian Kelly went 34-14 at LSU and won the SEC West in 2022, but his teams did not reach the College Football Playoff. This year’s squad started 5-3 before losing 49-25 to Texas A&M.

After the firing, Woodward said in a statement that LSU would “work toward a path that is better for both parties,” referencing ongoing negotiations with Kelly’s representatives.

Observers noted that Landry’s comments mark one of the most direct interventions by a governor into a university athletic decision in recent SEC history.

Board of Supervisors to take control

Landry said the LSU Board of Supervisors — which he influences through appointments — will lead the hiring process. Woodward will not serve on the search committee.

“I’m not going to be picking the next coach, but I can promise you we’re going to pick a coach and make sure he’s successful and compensated properly,” Landry said. “We’re also going to put metrics on him.”

That likely means the next contract will include measurable goals tied to performance and academics. Landry said the goal is to ensure the next hire delivers value to the university and its supporters.

Some education leaders said political involvement could complicate the search by discouraging top candidates. Others argue that LSU’s financial accountability must come first.

The Board has not announced a timeline for naming the next coach, though interim staff are expected to finish the season.

Financial and public pressure at LSU

Landry has also drawn attention to the financial strain large buyouts put on athletic programs. He said rising ticket prices and declining results have angered fans and donors.

“These contracts are public money at the end of the day,” he said. “We need to treat them like public investments, not personal favors.”

Woodward, who took over as LSU’s athletic director in 2019, was praised early for hiring high-profile coaches across several sports. But his approach — offering long, guaranteed contracts — has now come under scrutiny.

At Texas A&M, Fisher’s 2017 deal and buyout became a national story. At LSU, the Kelly contract followed a similar structure, including salary escalation clauses.

Some boosters privately told local outlets that the governor’s stance could bring more financial oversight from the state legislature and Board of Regents.

LSU faces new chapter and scrutiny

LSU now must rebuild both its football program and its public image. The school’s next hire will shape the team’s competitiveness in an expanding SEC and a new 12-team playoff system beginning next year.

Landry said the process will focus on character, player development and long-term program growth.

“We can’t keep paying coaches who leave us in the same position,” he said.

The governor also stressed the importance of regaining trust.

“This is not about politics,” he said. “It’s about leadership.”

Woodward’s future at LSU remains uncertain. While the school has not signaled plans to replace him, his influence on athletic decisions appears to have diminished.

For now, LSU fans await clarity on who will guide the Tigers into 2026 — and whether the next leader can deliver success without financial fallout.

Key takeaways

• Gov. Jeff Landry removed AD Scott Woodward from the LSU coach-hiring process, citing costly contracts at LSU and Texas A&M.

• The LSU Board of Supervisors will oversee the search, emphasizing performance-based contracts.

• Landry’s action adds political oversight to LSU athletics and signals a push for financial accountability in college sports.