Tag: Scott Woodward

AD Scott Woodward wants LSU to continue tough out-of-conference scheduling

Conference expansion and a potential nine-game SEC schedule doesn’t impact Woodward’s scheduling philosophy.

Scott Woodward’s in Destin, Florida, for the annual SEC spring meetings.

He went on Finebaum to discuss some issues facing the conference, and when it comes to scheduling, he said he wants to continue to see tough out-of-conference games on the slate. 

With the expanded playoff on the way, Woodward noted that programs could be given even more leeway if they boast a tougher strength of schedule.

10-2 and 9-3 teams could comfortably slide into a 12-team field with the right wins and losses.

“I just think there’s better and more opportunity and there’s not like this case where if you lose a game you’re out,” Woodward said. “You can lose a game or two and then still be very competitive and good at the end and still get in the playoffs.”

Woodward has made it a point to schedule these games during his time at LSU.

In 2021, LSU announced a matchup with USC to open the 2024 season. Earlier this year, LSU announced a plan to kick off the 2027 season against Houston at NRG Stadium. Woodward also scheduled games against Utah, but those aren’t slated until 2031 and 2032.

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COLUMN: LSU women’s basketball is going to be here a long time

LSU and Kim Mulkey aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

On Feb. 13, following LSU’s loss to South Carolina, I wrote, “LSU isn’t a contender.”

Not two months later, I was proven wrong along with a whole bunch of talking heads. [autotag]Kim Mulkey[/autotag], [autotag]Angel Reese[/autotag] and crew did the thing.

I wrote, “LSU looks poised to be a threat in the SEC for several years, it’s just not there yet.”

After that loss, Mulkey acknowledged LSU wasn’t there yet either. She said it was South Carolina and then everyone else.

On Sunday, it was LSU and then everyone else. The Tigers left no doubts, scoring 102 and winning by 17. This is the best team in the country.

When Mulkey was hired in 2021, LSU had only won nine games the year prior, hadn’t won a tournament game since 2014 and hadn’t been to the Final Four since 2008.

There are much longer Final Four droughts than the one LSU just ended, but it was a program in need of revival.

Mulkey, whose demeanor and presence sometimes are sometimes more reminiscent of a revival preacher than a basketball coach, was just the woman to bring LSU back to life.

Mulkey was no stranger to Louisiana or LSU. She grew up in Louisiana and played college ball at Louisiana Tech.

And you know the running joke. Haven’t you heard? Her son played baseball at LSU. If Mulkey didn’t have a game of her own to coach, ESPN was sure to give her screen time in those Alex Box Stadium bleachers.

Mulkey didn’t take the job because it was easy. She could have stayed at Baylor, where she was a top-two seed in the tournament every year for the last 10 years.

A coach approaching 60 didn’t have to jump ship to take on a rebuild. Mulkey knew LSU could be years away from reaching the heights she did at Baylor.

None of that mattered. She wanted to come home. She wanted to bring LSU a championship. It’s what she promised when she first appeared in the PMAC.

And now, it’s a promise delivered.

Mulkey rebuilt LSU at a rapid pace. LSU went from mediocre to national title winner in less than two years and it doesn’t look like it’s going away anytime soon.

We haven’t seen the ceiling yet.

This team had nine new players. Most of them will be back and joined by a recruiting class even better than Mulkey’s first two.

LSU is no longer the upstart underdog. It’s a destination that’ll attract the sport’s top talent.

Women’s college basketball is a sport that’s been prone to create dynasties. Star coaches have been able to consolidate talent giving their programs staying power.

That’s the path LSU is on right now.

Maintaining excellence is a whole different ball game, but you get the sense this team is going to remain hungry. Mulkey squads always play like they have something to prove.

But South Carolina is going to be hungry next year too, as is Iowa. The star players that gave LSU a tough time this year will be back for more.

LSU, with all of its flare and style, isn’t going anywhere either.

You might love them, you might hate them, but you’re going to get used to watching them.

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What to know before LSU’s Final Four showdown with Virginia Tech

Here’s what you need to know before LSU squares off with the Hokies.

For the first time since 2008, LSU has the opportunity to compete for a national title.

[autotag]Kim Mulkey[/autotag] marched LSU to the Final Four in Year 2. With a transfer-heavy rebuild that featured the additions of [autotag]Angel Reese[/autotag] and [autotag]Alexis Morris[/autotag] among others, LSU has ascended to be one of the nation’s premier teams.

It won’t come as a surprise to those familiar with Mulkey’s work. It happened fast, but this is right where LSU was supposed to be.

The Tigers will face Virginia Tech, a 31-4 No. 1 seed. LSU, a three-seed, is the lowest remaining seed left.

But let’s not waste any more time. Here’s a look at what LSU faces in Dallas and what lies ahead on the road to a title.

A full look at Brian Kelly’s updated staff entering 2023 season

Here’s who Kelly has on staff heading into Year 2.

Brian Kelly is entering his second year at LSU.

Last year, he was putting together a staff from scratch with few holdovers from the [autotag]Ed Orgeron[/autotag] era. It’s a different story this year with most of the staff returning intact. There isn’t a single on-field coach who left the program.

Notably, both coordinators are back. Paired with the returning personnel, that bodes well for LSU in 2023. The biggest shakeup came on special teams with [autotag]Brian Polian[/autotag] moving into more of a general manager-type role.

Here’s a look at who’s in the building this year on the football side and administrative side.

What to make of Matt McMahon’s tough first year at LSU

Matt McMahon’s first year at LSU is done. Where do the Tigers go from here?

The NCAA Tournament is set to begin soon, and LSU won’t be in it.

That’s different from these last few years. With [autotag]Will Wade[/autotag], aside from the COVID year, LSU fans got used to watching basketball in March.

The Tigers have made the last three NCAA Tournaments.

LSU never made a special run at a Final Four, though there was a Sweet 16 appearance. But after several years of struggles, the tournament appearances were enough to satisfy LSU fans in an ever improving SEC.

There was even an SEC title throw in there too.

Stars from those teams have now found success in the NBA, whether it be [autotag]Naz Reid[/autotag] or [autotag]Cam Thomas[/autotag].

LSU finished dead last in the SEC this year. Wade was let go a year ago after LSU received a notice of allegations and in the wake of it, LSU basketball has tripped, stumbled and fallen.

Several players from Wade’s team transferred out. At one point, LSU was without any scholarship player on the roster. LSU hired [autotag]Matt McMahon[/autotag] from Murray State and he recouped some of the losses. Most notably, he convinced guard [autotag]Adam Miller[/autotag] to return.

McMahon brought a number of his players from a good Murray State team too, along with a couple of blue-chip recruits.

Things didn’t look that bad anymore. The team wasn’t overflowing with talent but it had experienced players who had won at a high level. LSU started 5-0 and moved to 12-1. LSU finished off December with a win over No. 9 ranked Arkansas.

Following the Arkansas win, fans celebrated McMahon’s quick turnaround. The group had gelled fast, and LSU was going to compete for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

In the next game, the Tigers put up a fight on the road at Kentucky. Not a win, but more evidence the program was trending up and worthy of conference-wide attention.

Then it started to crumble. LSU lost by seven on the road to a Texas A&M team that turned out to be pretty good. Still not the end of the world. Then LSU lost again, to a Florida team that frankly, wasn’t that good.

LSU then lost again and again and again. A team that was 12-1 was 12-15 and any hope for postseason play had long disappeared.

You could chalk that 12-1 start up to mostly weak opponents. But Arkansas is No. 19 in KenPom, and the Tigers beat a Wake Forest team that won 19 games.

LSU’s lone loss in that stretch was by two points to a Kansas State team that’s 23-9. It really doesn’t make sense. But that’s how Year 1s are sometimes. This was a team with a new coach at a new place that’s never played together before.

This season is now in the rearview mirror. I don’t want to get caught up on diagnosing every issue.

Where does LSU go from here?

There’s sure to be plenty of turnover again. [autotag]KJ Williams[/autotag], LSU’s best player, will be gone. He was responsible for so much of LSU’s production this year.

Replacing him in a normal situation will be tough. Replacing him in a rebuild, even tougher.

McMahon was hired as a developmental guy. [autotag]Scott Woodward[/autotag] didn’t turn to the proven Power Five winner like he did with football and baseball. With McMahon, Woodward’s playing the long game and the contract McMahon received reflects that.

McMahon signed three four-stars last cycle: [autotag]Tyrell Ward[/autotag], [autotag]Jalen Reed[/autotag] and [autotag]Shawn Phillips[/autotag]. That’s LSU’s future core. It’s pivotal that McMahon holds on to them.

If they leave, that’s when I’d start questioning if McMahon is right for this rebuild.

The pieces for improvement are here. You just have to believe McMahon is a guy capable of developing at LSU like he did at Murray State.

You don’t need elite recruiting classes to win in college basketball. Teams have made runs strictly on developing players.

McMahon added a slew of transfers last year and getting their veteran presence back would be nice, but LSU needs to mine talent in the portal, especially at the guard position.

LSU has a couple of top 200 recruits on their way in. [autotag]Corey Chest[/autotag] and [autotag]Mike Williams[/autotag]. Based on how McMahon treated the freshmen this year, don’t expect a ton from them next year.

It’s too early to make big declarations on what the roster could look like. This is still a program in flux, and in this era, anything can happen.

This offseason, even more so than last, is critically important for McMahon and staff. Last year was excusable. Finishing last in the SEC again next year won’t be.

This is the new SEC. It doesn’t matter if you’re a football school. Athletic departments with money are expected to be relevant in basketball.

Fans want to see this program competing for conference titles once again.

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Could former LSU head coach Will Wade end up at a conference rival?

Wade’s name is popping up in an SEC coaching search.

Former LSU basketball coach [autotag]Will Wade[/autotag] is back in the news with his name surfacing for another SEC job.

According to Jeff Goodman, Wade’s name has gained traction for the newly open Ole Miss job.

Wade was fired from LSU in March of 2022 following the report into LSU’s recruiting violations, but neither he nor LSU’s program have yet to receive any form of sanction.

Along with Wade, Goodman also reports that Chris Beard and Dusty May are candidates.

At LSU, Wade went 105-51 with a 55-33 record in conference. The highlight of his tenure was in 2019 when he led LSU to an SEC title. LSU advanced to the Sweet 16, but Wade was sidelined following the alleged NCAA infractions.

Wade was set to return LSU to the NCAA Tournament again in 2020 before the season was upended by COVID-19. In 2021, Wade’s Tigers won a round of 64 game before falling to Michigan in the round of 32.

Wade was fired before the NCAA Tournament began in 2022. After all that, Wade coached just one NCAA Tournament at LSU.

Ole Miss, which has made the NCAA Tournament just five times this century and been ranked in the final AP Poll just once, is looking for someone to bring its program to relevance. Wade, who has raised the bar everywhere he’s been, could be that guy.

Not coaching this year, Wade has recently begun a podcast with Baton Rouge sports commentator Jordy Culotta.

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LSU announces new ‘Bayou Traditions’ NIL collective

LSU announced a step forward in the name, image and likeness game on Monday.

LSU is taking another step with its NIL game.

On Monday, LSU announced “Bayou Traditions” and named it the “official collective of LSU athletics.”

“Bayou Traditions is a new way LSU fans can support the success of our championship athletic programs and our elite student-athletes in the NIL era,” athletic director [autotag]Scott Woodward[/autotag] said in a release.

“Bayou Traditions” will give fans a chance to contribute monthly and one-time donations. It also becomes the presenting sponsor of LSU Gold, LSU’s streaming service that delivers exclusive video content to fans.

According to a report, the president of TCU’s NIL collective will make an impact with LSU’s new collective.

The release stated that TAF, the Tiger Athletic Foundation, will remain the sole philanthropic arm of LSU Athletics.

NIL became legalized across the NCAA in the summer of 2021. College football will be entering its third year of the NIL era in 2023. One figures this collective should make a significant impact on LSU’s efforts.

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LSU to open 2027 football season against Houston at NRG Stadium

The Tigers hold a 2-1 record all-time against the Cougars with the last contest coming in 2000.

LSU will open its 2027 slate with a contest against a Big 12 team.

The Tigers will travel to NRG Stadium in Houston for what will be a nominal neutral site game against the Houston Cougars in the Texas Kickoff. The Cougs are set to move to the Power Five from the American starting in 2023.

This will be LSU’s third time participating in the Texas Kickoff, with the previous games coming against Wisconsin in 2014 and BYU in 2016. The latter game was moved to New Orleans due to flooding in Houston the week of the game.

The Tigers most recently played at NRG Stadium in the Texas Bowl after the 2021 season, which it lost to Kansas State.

“The city of Houston and the entire area of southeast Texas continues to be vital to the success of LSU, not only our football program, but the entire university,” coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said in a release. “With more LSU alumni in that region than any other location outside of the state of Louisiana, it’s important that we have a strong presence in this area and this season-opening matchup will certainly enhance and strengthen the LSU brand in the state of Texas.”

LSU has certainly made recruiting the state of Texas a priority, as five of its 25 signees in 2023 hail from the Lone Star State. The state also has quite a few Tigers fans in residence, as athletics director [autotag]Scott Woodward[/autotag] said in the release.

“It’s always exciting when our football program gets the opportunity to compete in Texas, where so many LSU fans and alumni reside,” he said. “We know our supporters will be just as excited to cheer on the Tigers to kick off the 2027 season, and we look forward to a memorable contest.”

This will be the third contest against Houston in program history. The last came in 2000 when LSU won 28-13 at home. The Tigers hold the all-time series lead at 2-1.

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LSU women’s basketball unveils Seimone Augustus statue

Augustus’ statue was unveiled in a ceremony outside the PMAC in front of a huge crowd.

[autotag]Seimone Augustus[/autotag]’ presence will forever be felt outside Pete Maravich Assembly Center. LSU honored the legend with a statue on Sunday.

Augustus played at LSU from 2002-06, where she has a strong argument as the greatest player in program history. She spent 15 years playing professional basketball, and she was a four-time champion and eight-time all-star in the WNBA.

Here’s a video of Kim Mulkey helping to pull the cover off the statue prior to the game.

Augustus is the first female athlete in LSU history to get a statue. Her number was previously retired in 2010. Athletic director [autotag]Scott Woodward[/autotag] said Augustus helped transform LSU women’s basketball.

She was a two-time SEC player of the year and the top overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft. She was national player of the year in her senior campaign and helped lead LSU to three final fours.

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The 8 moments that defined LSU athletics in 2022

2022 was quite a year on the bayou.

It was a wild year for LSU.

We saw coaches get fired and hired. Hearts were broken by blocked extra-points and put back together with game-winning two-point conversions. There were improbable comebacks and squandered opportunities.

New arrivals, like [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] and [autotag]Angel Reese[/autotag], excelled on the field and on the court. Meanwhile, bona fide stars like baseball’s [autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag] and gym’s [autotag]Haleigh Bryant[/autotag] did their thing, too.

Stories about NIL and the transfer portal dominated the discussion around college sports, and it was no different at LSU with football and baseball signing transfer after transfer and gym’s [autotag]Olivia Dunne[/autotag] signing NIL deal after NIL deal.

Here’s a look at the stories that defined LSU in 2022.