The LSU Bengal Tigers football program is in damage control. For the first time in many seasons, an upcoming game against the Alabama Crimson Tide is not LSU's highest priority. The Bengal Tigers, under interim head coach Frank Wilson, will try to do everything possible to upset Alabama in Tuscaloosa. But the Crimson Tide is not LSU's biggest fish to fry. Far more important is the need to reverse the LSU football program's recent toxicity.
Given the terminations of Brian Kelly and Scott Woodward, LSU's primary task is to convince any top coaching candidate that he will have sufficient autonomy to succeed. Louisiana's Governor was correct in his recent tirade that head coach buyout dollars are insanely high. Landry was wrong about everything else.
Under interim Athletic Director Verge Ausberry, LSU is trying to move beyond damage control quickly. Ausberry is a former Bengal Tiger linebacker who LSU has employed for 24 years. His non-interim position is Executive Director of External Relations. Ausberry is respected for his administrative skills and football knowledge. He will be joined by two members of LSU's Board of Supervisors to function as a Search Committee. While board members assist, LSU insists that Ausberry will have "full authority" to hire LSU's next head coach.
Governor Landry had suggested that Donald Trump should hire the next LSU coach. Since then Landry may have been educated that even a President's coattails are not strong enough to protect a Louisiana politician who damages the LSU football program.
Consider this quote from a longtime expert on Louisiana politics, provided by Ross Dellenger: "We’re in a state where football means more here than it does in other parts of the country, and we’ve got only one major university. LSU football is paramount to any governor. No governor is going to say they don’t care about it — that would be political suicide. They preside over the action on Saturday night as if they’re some regal emperor ruling from the stands."
Can the LSU football staff fully focus on the Alabama Crimson Tide?
Lane Kiffin, nor any other top prospect, will choose LSU if they believe any politician will, like Huey Long did many years ago, seek to control the LSU football program. No conceivable amount of money will persuade a top coach to be vulnerable to whim and fancy. Governor Landry has proven himself as a capricious threat. Given the volatile situation, how focused can Frank Wilson and LSU's assistant coaches be on Alabama? Most of them must know they will need a new employer soon.
It may be weeks or months before LSU's leaders can give full attention to a football game, even a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide.