Governor Landry's Shocking Interference in LSU Coaching Search
Governor Landry's Unexpected Role in LSU Coaching Search
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has complicated the search for LSU’s next football coach by openly rejecting the athletic director’s authority in the process. After LSU fired Brian Kelly, Landry declared that Scott Woodward, the school’s athletic director, would not be involved in hiring the new coach, even quipping that he’d rather let Donald Trump choose before Woodward gets the chance. This intervention has added a political layer to what is traditionally an internal athletic decision.
The Fallout and Political Influence
Landry’s stance followed a costly decision to buy out Kelly’s contract, which Landry criticized for burdening taxpayers. His involvement reflects his broader concern about fiscal responsibility and accountability in LSU athletics, emphasizing that the next hire must demonstrate success and value. This political interference has sparked debate over the proper balance between state oversight and athletic autonomy, making the coaching search more contentious and complex than usual.
Implications for LSU Football’s Future
As the LSU Board of Supervisors prepares to form a committee for selecting the new coach, Landry’s influence signals a shift in power dynamics. This "total clown show" scenario underscores how intertwined politics and college football have become in Louisiana, potentially impacting the stability and direction of LSU football in the near future.
About the People Mentioned
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump, born June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, is an American businessman, media personality, and politician. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School in 1968 with a degree in economics. In 1971, he took over his family’s real estate business, renaming it the Trump Organization, through which he expanded into building and managing skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. Trump gained widespread fame as the host of the reality TV show *The Apprentice* from 2004 to 2015, which helped establish his public persona as a successful entrepreneur. Trump entered politics as a Republican and was elected the 45th president of the United States, serving from 2017 to 2021. His presidency was marked by significant policy actions including tax cuts, deregulation, the appointment of three Supreme Court justices, renegotiation of trade agreements (notably replacing NAFTA with the USMCA), and a focus on immigration control including border wall expansion. He withdrew the U.S. from international agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal, and engaged in a trade war with China. His administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was criticized for downplaying the virus’s severity. Trump was impeached twice by the House of Representatives—first in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction, and again in 2021 for incitement of insurrection—but was acquitted by the Senate both times. After losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, Trump challenged the results, culminating in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He remains a central figure in American politics, having won the 2024 presidential election and returned as the 47th president in 2025, continuing to promote policies aimed at economic growth, border security, and military strength[1][2][3][4].
About the Organizations Mentioned
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University (LSU) is the flagship public research university of Louisiana and a central institution within the Louisiana State University System, renowned for its robust academic programs, groundbreaking research, and vibrant campus life[5]. Located in Baton Rouge, LSU’s sprawling 650-acre campus is home to more than 250 buildings designed in Italian Renaissance style, reflecting both its historic roots and modern ambitions[5]. ## History and Evolution Founded in 1860 near Pineville as the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning & Military Academy, LSU moved to its current Baton Rouge location in 1926[2][5]. The university’s rapid growth in the early 20th century was fueled by visionary leadership, including Governor Huey Long’s ambitious expansion, which by 1936 had made LSU one of the largest and most advanced universities in the South[3]. Today, LSU enrolls over 28,000 undergraduates and more than 4,500 graduate students across 14 schools and colleges, offering a comprehensive range of programs—including nationally recognized business, law, veterinary, medical, and dental schools[3][5]. ## Academic and Research Excellence LSU holds the rare distinction of being a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant university, a status shared by only a handful of institutions nationwide[4][7]. This trifecta underscores LSU’s commitment to interdisciplinary research addressing global challenges, from coastal restoration and biomedical innovation to space exploration. In 2022, LSU made headlines as the first university to place technology on the moon—a project engineered by its students[4]. The university operates about 800 sponsored research projects, collaborating with agencies like the NIH, NSF, and NASA, and has been recognized for its contributions to fields such as biotechnology, hyperloop transportation, and proof of Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity[2][4]. ## Current Status and Notable Aspects LSU consistently attracts the largest and most academically talented incoming
LSU Board of Supervisors
The **LSU Board of Supervisors (BOS)** is a constitutionally established governing body responsible for the oversight and management of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, including its statewide agricultural and related programs. Created under Article 8, Section 7 of the Louisiana Constitution, the Board holds legal authority to supervise multiple LSU system institutions, making key policy decisions and guiding institutional strategies to fulfill educational, research, and public service missions[1][3][7]. The Board consists of members appointed by the Governor of Louisiana, with confirmation by the Senate, representing each congressional district and the state at large, serving staggered six-year terms. A student member is also elected annually to represent the student body, ensuring student interests are incorporated into governance[1][5]. The Board's diverse membership includes professionals from business, law, education, and public service, enhancing its capacity to address complex challenges in higher education. Historically, the LSU Board has played a critical role in shaping the university’s growth and adapting it to changing educational and societal needs. Notable recent actions include governance decisions impacting university policies and strategic partnerships. For example, in 2020, the Board adopted a resolution to remove the name of Troy H. Middleton from LSU’s main library, reflecting evolving perspectives on institutional history[6]. A notable and contentious aspect of the Board’s current oversight involves corporate partnerships in research. Investigations revealed that the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation, under the Board’s purview, entered agreements granting oil companies significant influence over research agendas and curriculum in exchange for substantial donations. This has sparked debate about academic freedom and the integrity of research, with defenders noting such partnerships are common in U.S. research institutions[6]. Today, the LSU Board of Supervisors continues to steer the LSU system through governance, policy-making, and strategic oversight, balancing institutional tradition with innovation and accountability in an increasingly complex educational and technological environment[1][3][5].
