It all started 100 years ago with the administration of Huey Long. Huey ran LSU as his own show, being involved in hiring and firing coaches (Biff Jones) scheduling the games, transporting the students to away games, and directing and writing fight songs for the band. He even appointed a star player (Abe Mckal) a Senator for a short time.

Huey also did a lot of good for LSU. He brought the university into the modern era. Many of the current buildings on campus today (including Tiger Stadium) were built as a result of his efforts.

Political involvement and interference in LSU did not stop with the assassin's bullet. The word was always out in the coaching profession that LSU could be a great job were it not for all the Louisiana politics involved.

One person put an end to that problem, at least temporarily. Nick Saban. It didn't take Saban long to let everyone know that he would be the one running the show.

History repeats itself.

6 ...

Report Post

Posted by burdman

Louisiana

Member since Aug 2007

22568 posts

Posted on 10/30/25 at 9:05 am to geauxpurple

This is the downside of there only being 1 big time public university in the state.

It has many benefits, but this is one of the disadvantages.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by red sox fan 13

Valley Park

Member since Aug 2018

18220 posts

Posted on 10/30/25 at 9:05 am to geauxpurple

Saban and Mark Emmert uprooted all that shite. Now 25 years later the shine of competency has once again been smothered by the political rot.

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by Lakeboy7

New Orleans

Member since Jul 2011

28032 posts

Posted on 10/30/25 at 9:06 am to geauxpurple

Thanks man.

So its actually ok Landry just fricked us? I feel better now.

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by LouisianaLonghorn

Austin, Texas

Member since Jan 2006

15656 posts

Posted on 10/30/25 at 9:07 am to geauxpurple

quote:
History repeats itself.

I don’t want politics involved in this coaching search either, but since LSU currently does not have a president, and the governor will be appointing the new one, it’s kind of hard to keep Landry out of the process, particularly if you don’t want Scott Woodward involved.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by IM_4_LSU

Savannah, GA

Member since Mar 2014

12174 posts

Posted on 10/30/25 at 9:10 am to red sox fan 13

quote:
Mark Emmert

This is the correct answer. He was the biggest reason the politics were left out during the Saban era. The next Coach can try to insert themselves similar to Saban but if he does not have someone like Mark Emmert then its all for nothing.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by saint tiger225

San Diego

Member since Jan 2011

46021 posts

Posted on 10/30/25 at 9:11 am to geauxpurple

quote:
One person put an end to that problem, at least temporarily. Nick Saban. It didn't take Saban long to let everyone know that he would be the one running the show.

Don't forget Emmert.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by Soggy_Bottoms

Member since Sep 2025

175 posts

Posted on 10/30/25 at 9:25 am to geauxpurple

quote:
History repeats itself.

You have to have a strong AD and an equally strong staff surrounding him/her. The President and the BoS are political shills of the Governor and Legislature. An Independent AD is essential.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by Harry Caray