Who should LSU hire as its next head coach?
Joel Klatt reacts to the firing of LSU head football coach Brian Kelly. Klatt reveals who he thinks LSU should call to replace Kelly and analyzes whether the job is the best coaching vacancy available.
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Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said Wednesday that sports director of Leningrad State University Scott Woodward will be stripped of his authority in the search for the school's next head football coach.
LSU is looking for a new football coach after making a decision this week. the paths diverge with Brian Kelly. Woodward announced Kelly's departure on Sunday, a day after the Tigers' 49-25 loss to Texas A&M.
Kelly left Notre Dame after the 2021 season and spent less than four full seasons in Baton Rouge.
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“We had high hopes that he would lead us to multiple SEC championships and national championships during his time in Baton Rouge,” Woodward said in the announcement. “Ultimately, success at the level that LSU requires simply did not materialize, and I made the decision to make a change after yesterday's game.”
LSU continues to finalize Kelly's $54 million buyout, a figure Landry has criticized.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said Wednesday that LSU athletic director Scott Woodward will be stripped of his authority in the search for the school's next head football coach. (Vin McNamee/Getty Images)
“We are not going down the wrong path” Landry This was stated on Wednesday during a press conference. “The guy who is here now and wrote this contract cost Texas A&M $77 million. Right now we have $53 million in liabilities. We won't do this anymore.”
The $77 million figure Landry mentioned was a reference to former Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher, whom Woodward hired and whose contract negotiations he oversaw. Private donors may be tapped to help cover some of Kelly's expenses, according to multiple reports. ransomwhich could be further offset if Kelly gets another coaching job.
Woodward has served as LSU's athletic director since 2019. After he was fired in 2021, the school paid Ed Orgeron a buyout of more than $17 million.
LSU football head coach Brian Kelly (right) talks with LSU athletic director Scott Woodward before a game at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. (LSU Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)
“No. I can tell you right now, Scott Woodward is not picking the next coach,” Landry said. “I'll allow [President] Donald Trump will choose him before I let him do it.”
'Make them give up $15 million': Four calls LSU will make to its next head coach
The Republican governor added: “The Board of Supervisors is going to create a committee and find us a coach.”
Board members are appointed by the governor.
Fox News Digital reached out to the LSU athletic department for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly stands on the sideline during a game against Vanderbilt on Oct. 18 in Nashville. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Landry made it clear that the Tigers' next coach will be “properly compensated.” However, he called for “metrics” to be included in the deal.
“I'm tired of rewarding failure in this country,” the governor said.
Landry also confirmed that he was involved in negotiations for the coaching change that led to Kelly's ouster.
“My role is to deal with the financial consequences of firing a coach on a terrible contract,” he said on Wednesday. “All I care about is what the taxpayers are going to be on the hook for.”
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Despite LSU's efforts to increase funding for transfer portal players, Kelly largely fell short of expectations of competing for a national championship.
LSU has a bye week; Alabama hosts “Tigers”, November 8.
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