Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has taken a firm stance against LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward’s role in selecting the university’s next football coach, following the recent firing of head coach Brian Kelly. Landry expressed strong criticism of the large financial commitments made under Woodward’s leadership, which he claims have burdened taxpayers with tens of millions of dollars in liabilities. His comments came just days after LSU announced the dismissal of Kelly, who was hired less than four years ago on a record-setting 10-year, $95 million contract that has now unraveled amid disappointing team performance.
The firing of Kelly followed a disheartening 49-25 home loss to Texas A&M that brought LSU’s season record to 5-3, shattering early hopes for a championship run. The Tigers’ promising 4-0 start deteriorated into a slump, with fans vocally demanding Kelly’s removal during the defeat. In a press conference at the state capitol in Baton Rouge, Governor Landry made it clear that Woodward would not be entrusted with selecting the next head coach. “Maybe we’ll let President Trump pick it before I let him do it,” Landry said, underscoring his deep dissatisfaction with the decisions made under Woodward’s direction.
Landry’s concerns extend beyond Kelly’s contract. He pointed to a “pattern” of costly contract mismanagement by Woodward, referencing his previous tenure at Texas A&M. There, Woodward negotiated a contract with coach Jimbo Fisher that resulted in a $77 million buyout when Fisher was fired in 2023—the largest buyout in college sports history at the time. “The guy that’s here now wrote that contract that cost Texas A&M more than $70 million,” Landry said. “Right now, we have a $53 million liability. We are not doing that again.” This fiscal reckoning highlights the governor’s frustration with what he sees as reckless spending practices that ultimately fall on Louisiana taxpayers.
Brian Kelly’s tenure at LSU saw a 34-14 record, equating to a winning percentage of nearly 71%. However, despite respectable overall performance, his teams struggled during critical moments, failing to meet the lofty expectations set by the program’s history. Unlike his predecessors—Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Ed Orgeron—who each secured national championships within their first four seasons, Kelly’s time in Baton Rouge resulted in only minor bowl game appearances and no College Football Playoff berths. While he did shepherd quarterback Jayden Daniels to Heisman Trophy consideration, the team’s lack of postseason success ultimately led to his dismissal.
LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward, an alumnus who has led the department since 2019, announced Kelly’s firing with a statement acknowledging the unmet expectations at the program. “When Coach Kelly arrived at LSU four years ago, we had high hopes that he would lead us to multiple SEC and national championships,” Woodward said. “Ultimately, the success at the level that LSU demands simply did not materialize.” Woodward also indicated that the university would continue negotiating the terms of Kelly’s departure, seeking a resolution beneficial to both parties. Reports estimate Kelly’s buyout to be around $54 million, a substantial financial commitment that has drawn criticism from the governor.
Governor Landry revealed that he met with university leaders at the governor’s mansion the night of Kelly’s firing to discuss the legal and financial implications. Since LSU operates as part of Louisiana’s state higher education system, a portion of Kelly’s salary was publicly funded, though most of the money came from donors and corporate sponsorships. Landry’s primary concern was the fiscal impact of terminating a coach under such a costly contract and the public perception that taxpayers would bear the financial burden. “I was not happy that we were raising ticket prices while having a losing season and paying a coach $100 million without the results,” he remarked, highlighting the tension between fan expectations, public funding, and athletic department spending.
Despite the governor’s harsh critique, he emphasized that his issue is not personal against Kelly. He described the fired coach as “a good man” who simply was “not the right fit anymore” for LSU’s football program. Landry’s broader frustration lies with the trend of athletic departments offering lucrative, guaranteed contracts without sufficient accountability measures tied to performance. “I think the spirit of the team needed a change,” he said. “But we’re going to make sure the next contract makes sense. We’re done