The phone rings in Senior Associate Athletic Director Verge Ausberry’s office Tuesday afternoon.
“Joe … I’ll call you back in four minutes,” Ausberry says.
Calling from Durham, N.C., it’s Joe Alleva – LSU’s next athletic director.
The former Duke athletic director is splitting his time between Durham and Baton Rouge before he officially replaces outgoing Athletic Director Skip Bertman on July 1.
LSU System President John Lombardi appointed Ausberry to lead LSU’s transition team as the department shifts from Bertman to Alleva.
Ausberry finished as one of four finalists for the post, and it was widely reported that he was first runner-up to Alleva.
But Ausberry declined to confirm his placement.
“They say that,” he said. “All I know is that the president asked me to lead the transition team.”
Ausberry has been forced to put aside any disappointment from not getting the job. One of his first duties was to work closely with Alleva to hire former Stanford basketball coach Trent Johnson.
Ausberry now answers Alleva’s calls every day and serves as his primary point of contact at LSU.
“I’m not the type of person to get disappointed about a job,” he said. “I’ve been very blessed in my career.”
Ausberry said the transition “team” is primarily himself. He communicates with the rest of the athletic administration staff to convey any messages from Alleva.
With the fiscal year ending June 30, Ausberry said the department is “in the busiest time of the year.” Most of his conversations with Alleva involve budget details.
Ausberry said Alleva has toured all of the athletic facilities. He said Alleva has not yet met all the coaches, but he has visited with Johnson, football coach Les Miles, baseball coach Paul Mainieri and women’s basketball coach Van Chancellor.
“Dr. Lombardi really wants us to be able to hit the ground running once Joe gets here,” Ausberry said.
Ausberry said Alleva will probably permanently move to Baton Rouge in May. Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette said Alleva was unavailable for interviews this week.
Bertman assumes an athletic director emeritus position July 1, focusing on fundraising for the department.
Bertman said he will work on finalizing the budget during his final days as athletic director.
“My role is to make it easy for Joe,” he said.
Bertman said at the end of June he will move from his sixth-floor office in the Athletic Administration Building to an office on the first floor.
“I don’t want to be looking over Joe’s shoulder up here,” he said. “It’s easier if we’re separated.”
—-Contact Amy Brittain at [email protected]