Louisiana Governor Says LSU Athletic Director Won’t Select Next Football Coach
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced Wednesday that the university’s athletic director, Scott Woodward, will not take part in the search for LSU’s next head football coach. The statement, made during a brief press briefing, clarified that the selection process will be handled by a committee appointed by the university’s Board of Supervisors, rather than by the athletic department’s chief administrator.
LSU’s football program entered a period of transition after the departure of its previous head coach following a disappointing season that fell short of the high expectations set by the school’s storied history. Traditionally, the athletic director plays a central role in identifying and vetting candidates for the position, working closely with university officials and external consultants. However, the governor’s intervention reflects a broader concern about ensuring transparency and preventing any perception of undue influence in the hiring process.
State officials emphasized that the move aims to uphold the integrity of the selection procedure and to involve a broader range of stakeholders, including former coaches, alumni representatives, and independent experts. “The goal is to conduct a thorough, impartial search that serves the best interests of the university and its supporters,” a spokesperson for the governor’s office said. University administrators echoed the sentiment, noting that the committee will follow established NCAA guidelines and will prioritize candidates with a proven track record of competitive success and academic compliance.
Analysts predict that the revised approach could extend the timeline for appointing a new coach, potentially pushing the announcement into the early offseason. Nonetheless, many view the decision as a safeguard against politicization of the process and as an opportunity to attract a broader pool of qualified candidates. The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to convene a subcommittee within the next week to outline the search criteria and to begin soliciting applications, setting the stage for what could become a high‑profile hiring cycle in college football.
