New Iberia native and longtime athletics administrator Verge Ausberry is now the man in charge of the LSU athletics department. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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If you’re looking for something to do Saturday, Andrew Greenstein has a great idea.
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LSU introduced New Iberia native and longtime athletic administrator Verge Ausberry as its interim athletics director. After a tumultuous week that saw the firing of head football coach Brian Kelly and the departure of athletics director Scott Woodward, Ausberry had this message for LSU fans…
Cut 3 (12) “…job done.”
Ausberry says his main priority is to find the best football coach that LSU can hire. He’s forming a committee that includes members of the LSU Board of Supervisors and major donors to the athletic program.
Cut 4 (10) “…one of those at LSU.”
Before Governor Jeff Landry spoke about the language in college football coaches’ contracts and the dismissal of Woodward as athletic director, the LSU football coaching vacancy was considered one of the best in the country. Ausberry still feels that way, and interest is high.
Cut 5 (15) “…at LSU.”
Two LSU Board of Supervisors were in attendance. Scott Ballard, who is the chairman, and John Carmouche, who is the chairman of the athletics committee.
Neither would go into detail on why Woodward is no longer the athletics director. They said it was a decision that Woodward and the Board thought was best for the university.
Landry said on Wednesday he did not want Woodward hiring the next LSU football coach.
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LSU alum and Baton Rouge native Scott Woodward is no longer the athletics director at LSU after Governor Landry said he did not want Woodward to hire the next football coach. It was announced on Thursday night that Woodward and the LSU Board of Supervisors mutually agreed to party ways. LSU Board of Supervisors member John Carmouche denies that Landry had anything to do with Woodward’s departure…
Cut 6 (09) “…part ways.”
Woodward still had three years left on his contract and LSU owes him six million dollars.
LSU Board Chairman Scott Ballard says a lot of factors went the decision to move on from Scott Woodward…
Cut 7 (12) “…mutual agreement.”
Woodward spent six years as LSU’s athletics director and LSU won six titles during his leadership. He hired three coaches that won national championships; Jay Johnson, Kim Mulkey and Jay Clark.
But Landry was upset with the contract Woodward gave to Kelly and the 54-million dollar buyout Kelly could receive as a result of his firing. The governor has said state taxpayers may have to pay that cost, if private donors do not step up. But Carmouche disagrees with Landry’s claim the state is liable…
Cut 8 (14) “…and never will.”
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If you’re looking for something to do Saturday, why not take in the Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge? It takes place from nine to four at the State Library and the surrounding Capitol Park area. Robert Wilson, the executive director for the Louisiana Center for the Book, says there’s one building that’s usually a part of the festival that won’t be this year.
Cut 9 (09) “…we didn’t normally.”
Wilson says there are books for readers of all ages and all interests.
Cut 10 (09) “…are just beginning.”
Wilson says for the kids, the festival will feature a musical performance from Rick Kelley of Music with a Message for Kids, who visits dozens of schools and libraries throughout the state to promote reading as a fun activity for kids.
Cut 11 (10) “…readers pavilion area.”
The festival will also feature appearances and book signings by various authors in the Cavalier House Books tent. Admission to the festival is free.
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Good news for Louisiana soybean farmers, as China this week agreed to buy 12-million metric tons of U.S. soybeans between now and January. That was the result of a meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says China made a goodwill purchase prior to the meeting.
Cut 12 (09) “…first few months.”
The 12-million metric tons is down more than ten-million metric tons after China stopped buying U.S. soybeans amid a months-long tariff battle. Strain says the U.S. is the second-biggest producer of soybeans in the world.
Cut 13 (11) “…Argentina 50.9.”
Strain says China takes in more than 60-percent of the world’s soybeans.