LSU AD explains why Brian Kelly didn't 'connect' with program
Brian Kelly was dismissed last season with a 34-14 record. Athletics director Verge Ausberry went on the record to explain where things went wrong.
LSU was subject to the most high-profile coaching change in college football this past season, firing coach Brian Kelly after a disappointing start and ultimately hiring away Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin. Kelly's firing — a decision made by previous Tigers athletics director Scott Woodward — came as a bit of a surprise given his 34-14 record in Baton Rouge. However, speaking to USA TODAY Sports' Blake Toppmeyer, current AD Verge Ausberry explained that Kelly lacked "connection" with the program .
“It’s going back to the Saban model,” Ausberry, who was previously the deputy AD under Woodward, told Toppmeyer. “(That means) running the whole program. Then, you have to go do some things with alumni and do things with boosters and do things with fundraising, with NIL.
You have to be a part of that. “That’s what Lane will do. He’ll go out there and have that conversation with the donors and the people who support the program and (say), ‘We need your help,’ and give them his cell number.
“He’s not one who’ll say, ‘OK, I don’t want people to contact me. I don’t want people to touch me. I don’t want people to be around me.