Paul Finebaum reacts to Jeff Landry comments on Scott Woodward: 'Pretty well body-bagged him'

As word spread of Gov. Jeff Landry’s comments about LSU athletics director Scott Woodward, SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum reacted in real time. He said the remarks were something he had rarely, if ever, seen before.

During a Wednesday press conference, Landry said he doesn’t think Woodward should select the next LSU head coach. He specifically pointed out the historic buyouts in contracts Woodward gave Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M and, most recently, Brian Kelly at LSU. All told, the two buyouts total nearly $130 million.

In the immediate aftermath of Landry’s comments, Finebaum said the idea Woodward could pick the next LSU coach appears to be in serious question. It’s worth noting LSU doesn’t have a university president at the moment, which is why Landry was involved in discussions about Kelly’s future over the weekend, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

“There’s been a lot of speculation about Scott Woodward, who is the athletic director down there,” Finebaum said Wednesday on his show. “Some people thought maybe he would be able to survive and maybe choose the next [head football coach]. Well, I don’t think that’s going to happen based on what I am reading now coming from a press conference that is currently going on in Baton Rouge, being conducted by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry. … That is the governor of the state of Louisiana essentially saying Scott Woodward is done.

“I have rarely ever seen anything quite like that. But the governor is the de facto head of not only the state of Louisiana, but the LSU coaching search.”

Later in the program, Finebaum learned more about Landry’s remarks, including the acknowledgement of the lofty buyouts given to Fisher and Kelly. In the process, Finebaum said the Louisiana governor “body-bagged” Woodward.

“He didn’t just say that Scott Woodward wouldn’t make the selection. He reiterated that Woodward was the one who hired Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M and hired Kelly,” Finebaum said. “I don’t know how Scott Woodward’s still sitting there as the athletic director, but the governor pretty well body-bagged him today at this press availability.”

LSU is on the hook for roughly $53 million after announcing its decision to part ways with Kelly on Sunday. However, the school said it is working to negotiate the terms of the separation. Regardless, Landry made it clear Woodward should’t select the next coach, even saying President Donald Trump should get a call to do it.

“I can tell you right now, Scott Woodward is not selecting the next coach,” Landry said. “Hell, I would let Donald Trump select it before I let him do it. … I don’t know. But the Board of Supervisors is going to come up with a committee and they’re going to find us a coach.”