LSU Interim AD Takes Charge in Search for New Football Coach
The Louisiana State University (LSU) athletic department has appointed interim athletic director Verge Ausberry with full authority to hire the next head football coach. Following the departure of former athletics director Scott Woodward, Ausberry announced on March 15, 2024, that a search committee has been formed to identify a replacement for Brian Kelly, who was dismissed after a disappointing season.
Ausberry, an alumnus and former linebacker at LSU, has been affiliated with the university for over 30 years. His new leadership role comes after Woodward and the institution mutually agreed to part ways amid scrutiny over Kelly’s tenure and contractual obligations. Ausberry expressed a commitment to maintaining the football program’s competitive standards during a news conference in Baton Rouge, stating, “We’re going to hire the best football coach there is. We are not going to let this program fail.”
The search for a new coach follows the Tigers’ recent loss to Texas A&M, where they fell 49-25 at home, leaving their season record at 5-3. The pressures of this transition are palpable, with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry publicly criticizing Woodward’s prior contract with Kelly, which amounted to $95 million over ten years, and included a substantial buyout clause of $54 million.
Committee Formed for Coach Search
Ausberry, alongside other key figures including LSU Board of Supervisors chairman Scott Ballard and influential board members and donors, will guide the search committee. Despite the ongoing discussions about the university’s presidential selection, Ballard assured reporters that the process for hiring a new coach would not be delayed. “Verge is going to move forward and knows what he needs to do,” he said.
The Board of Supervisors is set to select the next LSU president shortly, with finalists including Wade Rousse, president of McNeese State, and James Dalton, provost at the University of Alabama. This leadership transition is seen as critical, yet Ballard emphasized that the search for a new football coach would progress independently of the presidential appointment.
Landry’s criticism of the previous administration’s financial decisions has cast a shadow over the athletics department. He convened a meeting at the governor’s mansion to address the legalities surrounding Kelly’s termination and the financial implications. In a bid to restore confidence, Ausberry noted that the new head coach would likely be offered a merit-based contract, which would not include a substantial buyout, a departure from the past.
Focus on Revitalizing the Football Program
Ausberry, who previously served as executive deputy athletic director under Woodward, remains optimistic about the future of LSU football. He emphasized the need to eliminate any sense of apathy surrounding the program, highlighting the importance of winning and the expectations of fans. “This place is not broken. The athletic department is not broken. We win,” he asserted.
During a recent game, Ausberry observed that Tiger Stadium, usually a vibrant venue, was only half full, a reflection of current morale. He referenced coaching legend Woody Hayes, stating, “The worst word in the dictionary was ‘apathy.’ This program cannot have apathy, in no way or means. We have to win. We have to be successful.”
As LSU embarks on this critical hiring process, the focus remains on restoring the football program’s legacy and ensuring that it competes at the highest level. The next steps will be crucial as Ausberry and the search committee work diligently to attract top-tier candidates in a rapidly evolving landscape.
