LSU has finalized an agreement to part ways with athletic director Scott Woodward in the wake of Brian Kelly’s termination, the university confirmed Thursday.
LSU’s associate athletic director Verge Ausberry will fill in as the interim athletic director.
“We thank Scott for the last six years of service as athletic director,” Board of Supervisors Chair Scott Ballard said in a statement released by LSU Athletics. “He had a lot of success at LSU, and we wish him nothing but the best in the future. Our focus now is on moving the athletic department forward and best positioning LSU to achieve its full potential.”
In a letter to fans, Woodward said he left his position “with a heavy heart but also with my typical optimism.”
“Others can recap or opine on my tenure and on my decisions over the last six years as Director of Athletics, but I will not,” Woodward wrote. “Rather, I will focus on the absolute joy that LSU Athletics brings to our state’s residents and to the Baton Rouge community. I will cherish the incredible relationships I have built… And I will fondly remember the national and SEC championships for the joy that they brought to our student-athletes, coaches, staff, campus community and our incredible fans.”
The news comes after Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry was critical of Woodward saying in a press conference Wednesday that Woodward wouldn’t be hiring the next coach.
“No. I can tell you right now, Scott Woodward is not selecting the next coach,” Landry said. “Hell, I would let Donald Trump select it before I let him do it.”
Landry speculated then that if Woodward wasn’t picking the next coach, maybe a committee could be formed by the Board of Supervisors.
The governor also complained about Woodward’s history — he hired both Kelly and former Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher, who both eventually had to be bought out for enormous amounts. Fisher’s $77 million buyout was the biggest in college football history.
Woodward made many hires at LSU, most notably Kelly, women’s basketball’s Kim Mulkey, baseball’s Jay Johnson and gymnastics’ Jay Clark.
LSU would owe Woodward the $6.8 million that he’s left to earn in his contract.
Woodward is from Baton Rouge and is an LSU alumni who was hired in April of 2019.
Woodward was the athletic director at Texas A&M and University of Washington before his homecoming at LSU.
LSU now has vacancies at university president, provost, athletic director and head football all at once.
