Scott Woodward out as LSU AD a day after criticism from governor

Scott Woodward. C. Morgan Engel-Imagn Images

Scott Woodward out as LSU AD a day after scathing criticism from Louisiana governor

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Oct 31, 2025 8:02 AM ET

The winds of changing are blowing for the LSU Tigers.

First, it was the firing of head coach Brian Kelly, who had led the football program to a 34-14 overall record in three-and-a-half seasons, but could seemingly never get the Tigers "up" for a big game. He was fired after the then-No. 20 Tigers lost at home to No. 3 Texas A&M, 49-25.

Now, it's being reported that LSU is parting ways with athletic director Scott Woodward.

This, according to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, who is also reporting that Executive Deputy AD Verge Ausberry will step in in the interim.

For those reading the tea leaves, this was an expected move. This news comes a day after Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry stated in no uncertain terms that Woodward would not be choosing LSU's next football coach.

“No, I can tell you right now Scott Woodward is not selecting our next coach,” Landry said during a news conference at the state capitol on Wednesday.

He even said that he'll let President Donald Trump choose the next head coach at LSU before he allowed Woodward to do so.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry just said he’d let Donald Trump pick LSU’s next coach before allowing athletic director Scott Woodward to do it.

Landry then goes off about how all the same agents represent the coaches and ADs.

Man, I love college footballpic.twitter.com/vR8mOegWy6
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) October 29, 2025

The winds of change are blowing for LSU

If you're wondering why the Governor of Louisiana is meddling in LSU football's affairs, keep in mind that LSU is a state university that is partially funded by state taxes. If Kelly's buyout can't be paid by private donors at LSU, the state may have to pay it via tax dollars.

Landry has been clear that he will not hire LSU's next football coach, but he believes he has a fiscal responsibility in this matter.

“My role is about the fiscal effect of firing a coach under a terrible contract,” Landry said, according to The Athletic. “All I care about is what the taxpayers are going to be on the hook on (for). I was also not happy with the fact that we were raising ticket prices while we were having a losing season and we were paying a coach $100M and we were not getting the results.”

Under Woodward, LSU won national championships in football (2019), baseball (2023, 2025) and women's basketball (2023).

Woodward is a alumnus of LSU and has been the athletic director since 2019 after stints at Washington and Texas A&M.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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