Search for LSU's next President comes to an end

On Tuesday, one of the three most notable jobs at LSU was filled.

LSU’s Board of Supervisors announced the decision to name McNeese State President Wade Rousse to take over the same position in Baton Rouge.

The Board of Supervisors met privately on Tuesday following final statements made by each of the three finalists.

Beyond Rousse, the final candidates included Dr. James Dalton, the Executive Vice President and Provost of the University of Alabama, and Dr. Robert Robbins, who previously served as the President of the University of Arizona.

LSU Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott Ballard revealed the decision to make Rousse LSU’s next President and Alabama Provost Dr. James Dalton as provost and chancellor of the Baton Rouge campus.

LSU’s selection of the school’s 29th president ultimately landed on Rousse, who was widely considered the frontrunner in part because of his close ties to Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. Landry made headlines a week ago when he went publicly shared his views on a variety of topics surrounding the decision to fire LSU Football head coach Brian Kelly.

Landry said LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward would not be involved in the search for the team’s next head coach. Given one the key roles for college athletics director would be to spearhead such a notable coaching search, Landry’s comments left onlookers questioning what the future held for Woodward – one of the most well-known athletics directors in the NCAA.

Before week’s end, LSU announced Woodward and the school were working through a separation agreement despite more than three years remaining on his contract.

The search for Woodward’s replacement, and LSU Football’s next head coach, continues. Longtime athletics official Verge Woodward is serving as LSU Interim Athletics Director, while Frank Wilson, another well-known figure in LSU athletics, has been named LSU Football’s interim head coach.

Who is hired to fill both roles permanently remains to be seen, but the timeline was set up for LSU’s Board of Supervisors to first name a school president.

On Tuesday, November 4, the decision was finalized.

Rousse will fill the void left by former LSU President William Tate following his decision to accept the same role at Rutgers.

Verge Ausberry sheds light on LSU Football’s head coach search

Ausberry’s first full day as interim athletics director began Friday an early morning press conference in front of local media and LSU athletics coaches and administration.

One of the biggest talking points: who will be tasked with finding the next head coach of LSU Football.

Ausberry answered the looming question in his opening statement at Friday’s press conference when he revealed a committee he assembled.

The following names will join Ausberry on that committee.

• Scott Ballard, chairman of the board
• John Carmouche, chairman of athletics
• Ben Bordelon, as you know a former LSU football player and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards
• E.J. Kleeper, CEO of Our Lady of the Lake

Ausberry added there will be a sixth unnamed person on the committee.

“We’re talking to one more member right now,” he said. “Those are the people who are going to be responsible for helping us find the next great football coach at LSU.”

With LSU on a bye week, the Tigers will head to Tuscaloosa to face No. 4 Alabama next Saturday – the first of four regular season games remaining.

Over the month of November, Ausberry and the committee will begin the interview process with top targets around the country.

The next chapter is this: we have to hire a football coach,” Ausberry said. “We’re going to hire the best football coach there is. That’s our job. We are not going to let this program fail. LSU has to be in the playoffs every year in football. There are 12 teams that make it — it’s going to expand, and we have to be one of those. No substitutes.

“We have to be talked about on ESPN, every channel, every week. That’s the standard for LSU football. This big building here has to be successful if we’re going to be successful as an athletic department. That’s the measuring stick.”

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who has maintained he will not be part of the search process and will leave the hire to the committee assembled, made headlines this week when he fired back on contracts built around guaranteed money rather than incentive-based earnings.

Ausberry was asked about Landry’s comments on the potential contract, and he assured fans there was nothing set in stone as the lone goal was to bring an elite head coach to Baton Rouge to take over the LSU Football program.

“The executive team is second to none — I’d put them up against anyone. They’re the best, and they will get the job done,” he said. “Coaches are second to none. We have championship coaches here.

“This program cannot have apathy in any way or form. We have to win. We have to be successful. We always say this — we’re the movie makers, the financers, the administrators, the coaches. The athletes are the stars. They’re the most important part of what we do. We have to do everything to make sure the student-athletes get what they need and the coaches get what they need. Our job is support.”