Louisiana Governor Speaks Out On Decision-Maker For Next LSU Football Head Coach

Jeff Landry spoke at length about the coaching search in Baton Rouge, states one individual will not be involved.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry speaks during the Aug. 20 Donaldsonville Area Chamber of Commerce and Baton Rouge Industrial Group luncheon held in the Lemann Memorial Center. | Michael Tortorich / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry forcefully spoke out against LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward on Wednesday afternoon involving his recent failed hires.

Landry stated the Woodward will not be selecting the next head football coach in Baton Rouge amid Brian Kelly's firing after blasting Woodward's recent decisions on the hiring front.

At his press conference on Wednesday, the Louisiana governor spoke at length about Woodward leaving the state with a hefty $53 million to pay in the coming years to Kelly - who was relieved of his duties on Sunday night amid a 5-3 start to the 2025 season.

“We are not going down a failed path,” Landry said. “This is a pattern. The guy that wrote that contract cost Texas A&M 70 something million dollars. We’ve got a 53 million dollar liability. We are not doing that again. I believe we’re going to find a great coach — maybe we’ll let President Trump pick it, he loves winners.

"I’m not gonna be picking the next coach, but I can promise you we’re going to pick a coach and make sure he’s successful. We’re going to make sure he’s compensated properly and we’re going to put metrics on it because I’m tired of rewarding failure in this country, then leaving the tax payers to foot the bill.”

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry just slammed LSU athletic director Scott Woodward on Brian Kelly fiasco.

Says he will not hire next coach

“No, I can tell you right now Scott Woodward is not selecting the next head coach. I’d let Donald Trump select it before I let him do it…” pic.twitter.com/4sXNglsuJE

— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) October 29, 2025

LSU is without a university president at the moment - leaving the coaching search in limbo as the decision committee is selected.

There are several moving parts, including the search for a new university president that will likely be chosen by next week.

While putting Woodward on blast, Landry continued referencing his hiring of Jimbo Fisher - who was fired at Texas A&M and owed over $70 million — the largest buyout in college football history.

“I can tell you right now, Scott Woodward is not selecting the next coach, hell I’ll let Donald Trump select it before I let him,” Landry said. “I don’t know [who it is], but the board of directors is going to form a committee and they’re going to find us a coach. Y’all reporters have to start looking into the people that represent these coaches, the agents.

“I’d let @POTUS pick the next @LSUfootball coach before I let Scott Woodward pick him.”
- @LAGovJeffLandry

— Liam Combs (@LiamCombs3) October 29, 2025

"Woodward’s agent, Kelly’s agent, the Texas A&M agent, they’re all the same agent. This is ridiculous. Lawyers would be disbarred if they acted how these agents acted. It’s time for the NCAA to put in some guard rails for college sports.”

Landry stated that the university's Board of Supervisors will put together a committee to begin the head coaching search for LSU.

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