Stephen A. Smith blasts LSU AD Scott Woodward after Brian Kelly firing
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LSU athletic director Scott Woodward made history on Sunday night. By firing Brian Kelly, Woodward is now at least partially responsible for the 2 biggest buyouts in the history of college football: Jimbo Fisher (Texas A&M) and Kelly. And Stephen A. Smith wants to make sure people know it.
On Monday’s episode of First Take, Smith asked Paul Finebaum — who joined the show to discuss Kelly’s dismissal — for Woodward’s name. After Finebaum told him, Smith demanded the producers “needed a mugshot… of that man’s face” for national television.
“[A] $76 million buyout? Associated with a $54 million buyout? Ladies and gentleman, that equates to $130 million dollars [for] 2 coaches… to not coach anymore,” Smith said. “I’m sorry, Scott. I’m quite sure you’re a very, very capable man. [I am] not advocating for you to be fired, but you owe somebody else some damn money.”
Fisher (45-35) and Kelly (34-14) weren’t terrible, comparatively, in their respective places. However, when you’re paying someone that high of a salary, you’re demanding national championship contention. Fisher didn’t deliver that in College Station, and Kelly wasn’t providing it in Baton Rouge.
Woodward’s next coaching hire could be pivotal toward his long-term life at LSU. The Tigers are on bye this weekend, but return to face Alabama on the road in Week 11.
