Woodward steps down as LSU athletic director following criticism from Landry

Scott Woodward is no longer serving as LSU’s athletic director, the university announced Thursday night, just days after the school dismissed football coach Brian Kelly amid a 5-3 season. Verge Ausberry, LSU’s executive deputy athletic director, has been named interim AD. “We thank Scott for his six years of service,” LSU Board of Supervisors Chair Scott Ballard said. “He achieved a lot of success here, and we wish him the best moving forward.” LSU plans to hold a news conference Friday morning to discuss the leadership change.

Woodward’s exit follows a week of public criticism from Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who openly questioned his management decisions. Landry stated on Wednesday that Woodward would not be allowed to hire the school’s next football coach and later told The Pat McAfee Show that “a number of bad contracts seem to have followed Scott Woodward.” Sources indicate that Woodward will receive the remaining $6 million owed to him under his contract.

In a farewell letter to “Tiger Nation,” Woodward said he was leaving “with a heavy heart but also with my typical optimism.” He reflected fondly on LSU’s success during his tenure, including national and SEC championships, and expressed his gratitude to the community and the university. A Baton Rouge native and LSU graduate, Woodward’s tenure since 2019 included the Tigers’ 2019 football national title, the hiring of women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey, and the dismissal of men’s coach Will Wade. Mulkey, who led LSU to its first women’s basketball championship in 2023, was said to be “heartbroken” by the news, according to assistant coach Bob Starkey, who called Woodward “one of the two best athletic directors” he has ever worked with.