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'LSU is not broken:' Latest on mess in the Bayou, who is handling coaching search
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- 'LSU is not broken:' Latest on mess in the Bayou, who is handling coaching search
LSU announced Thursday, Oct. 30, that interim athletic director Verge Ausberry will lead the Tigers' coaching search, rounding out a rapidly escalating series of events for the university in the aftermath of Brian Kelly's abrupt firing Oct. 26.
LSU expounded on its recent moves in a press conference on Oct. 31 after announcing Scott Woodward would no longer serve as athletic director late Oct. 30. The moves come on the heels of Kelly being fired as head football coach after LSU's 5-3 start this season and a 49-25 home loss to Texas A&M on Oct. 25.
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Ausberry, a former player and the former executive deputy director of athletics, was joined alongside LSU Board of Supervisors chair Scott Ballard and member John Carmouche. The parties at the podium didn't detail why both sides came to the "mutual agreement" on Woodward's exit, however.
"I'm going to hire the best football coach there is," Ausberry said. "That's our jobs. We're going to go out there (and) we're not going to let this program fail. LSU has to be in the playoffs every year in football."
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has been involved in the situation in recent days, as LSU still lacks a university president, whom will be named on Nov. 4. He has publicly criticized Woodward, noting he wouldn't be leading the coaching search in an LSU press conference on Oct. 29 and on the "Pat McAfee Show."
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Landry also said: "There's a number of bad contracts that seem to have followed Scott Woodward."
Carmouche said Oct. 31 that Landry wasn't involved in the decision to move on from Woodward, and that Landry's concern is with the state. He added the state and state taxpayers have never and will never pay a coach's buyout, despite Landry's assertions.
Kelly is due just over $54 million after being fired.
"His concern had to do with the state contract," Carmouche said. "LSU board of supervisors and Mr. Woodward decided jointly to part ways."
Ausberry was adamant after being introduced as interim athletic director that the department is in a strong position.
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"I want our fanbase to know one thing," Ausberry said, "LSU is not broken. LSU athletic department is not broken."
Woodward was responsible for hiring Brian Kelly away from Notre Dame, but he also hired women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey and baseball coach Jay Johnson — who both have won recent national championships — from other high-end programs.
Mulkey declined to speak to reporters after LSU's exhibition win on Oct. 30. Assistant Bob Starkey, who appeared in her place, said Mulkey was "heartbroken" of Woodward's exit.
LSU football is off in Week 10, and interim coach Frank Wilson will lead the program for the remainder of the season. The Tigers face Alabama on the road on Nov. 8.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'LSU is not broken': Interim AD Verge Ausberry to lead coaching search
