LSU recently announced its decision to part ways with head coach Brian Kelly and offensive coordinator Joe Sloan. Following this decision, athletic director Scott Woodward has also been under scrutiny from Tigers’ fans due to a series of poor choices.
Following this weekend’s loss to Texas A&M, the Tigers’ playoff chances are all but over, according to PFSN’s playoff meter. They currently have a 2.18% chance of reaching the postseason.
LSU Faces a Big Financial Hurdle in Firing AD Scott Woodward
According to a recent report from Contract expert KC Smurthwaite, there could be one potential factor that could stop LSU from firing the athletic director. Woodward currently has a contract that runs all the way up to 2029.
FWIW | Scott Woodward has a total annual comp of $1.85 million. Contract runs through ’29.
As of now he would be owed roughly $6.8 million should LSU also make a change.
He DOES have a mitigation clause for any employment to offset what is owed.via Extra Points Library! https://t.co/mdYPVnQyae
— KC Smurthwaite (@KcSmurthwaite) October 27, 2025
“Scott Woodward has a total annual comp of $1.85 million. Contract runs through ’29. As of now, he would be owed roughly $6.8 million should LSU also make a change. He DOES have a mitigation clause for any employment to offset what is owed.” The report revealed.
However, there could potentially be a saving grace for LSU in this situation. According to the terms of Woodward’s contract, he must seek new equivalent employment to help mitigate the $6.8 million that is owed to him by the Tigers.
“Scott Woodward is required to mitigate LSU’s obligations under this section 8.E by making reasonable and diligent efforts to obtain an athletic director or other comparable employment position as soon as practicable following termination.” The contract states.
This mitigation report came just minutes after a report was made by Extra Points Library’s Matt Brown, announcing that LSU was expected to hire a new university president by “no later than the end of the week.”
USA TODAY reports that LSU owes Kelly $53.3 million after terminating him without cause yesterday. That figure is one of the highest in all of college football history. This has put Woodward under heavy scrutiny, with some pointing out that this wasn’t his first mistake.
The largest buyout in the history of college football occurred during Woodward’s tenure as athletic director of Texas A&M. After being fired from the program, former head coach Jimbo Fisher earned a staggering $77.5 million.
“The last two football coaches Scott Woodward hired. He gave contracts worth a combined $170 million. Jimbo later got an extension after he left A&M. Neither coach ever reached the CFP, and they got fired for a combined buyout of $129 million.” The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel revealed.
After deciding to move on from Coach Kelly, LSU has begun the search for its new head coach. However, with the way things are shaping up, Woodward may not be the one in charge of the committee. LSU plays Alabama in two weeks under interim head coach Frank Wilson.
