Louisiana Buzz: Shaq Stirs Saban LSU Talk
LSU football is in transition, and Baton Rouge is watching every move. In the last week, LSU dismissed Brian Kelly after a home loss to Texas A&M, parted ways with Athletics Director Scott Woodward, and named Wade Rousse as the university’s next president. With those pieces shifting, the spotlight now lands on who will lead the Tigers on the sideline next.
A Fast-Moving Timeline in Tiger Town
Kelly’s ouster came on October 27, 2025, following a 49–25 defeat to No. 3 Texas A&M. Associate head coach Frank Wilson was tapped as interim while a national search began. Reports placed Kelly’s buyout at about 54 million dollars.
Four days later, on October 30, LSU announced it had mutually parted with AD Scott Woodward, naming longtime administrator Verge Ausberry as interim. On November 4, the LSU Board of Supervisors selected McNeese State president Wade Rousse as LSU’s 29th president, closing one chapter and opening another inside the corridors of power along Highland Road.
Shaq’s Rumor Adds Fuel to the LSU Message Boards
The coaching carousel always spins with big names, and one rumor has turned every head along Nicholson Drive. Shaquille O’Neal told Us Weekly he “heard through the grapevine” that LSU has had conversations with former Tigers coach Nick Saban.
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O’Neal called the idea of “bringing Nick back” awesome, a line that ricocheted across social media and local talk. The claim surfaced via entertainment outlets amplifying the "Us Weekly" item.
Reality Check: Saban Says He’s Staying on TV
Speculation is one thing. Saban’s own words are another. Appearing on ESPN’s College GameDay the weekend of November 1, the seven-time national champion reiterated he is not looking to return to coaching and is content with his broadcast role. He has offered broader cautions about how today’s sport is shaped by the portal, NIL and revenue models, which change how “traditional jobs” function. For now, his stance remains firm.
What’s Next for LSU
With Rousse stepping in as president and Ausberry serving as interim AD, LSU’s leadership will shape both the athletic director search and the football hire. Governor Jeff Landry has already weighed in on process and accountability, underscoring the public pressure attached to this decision in Louisiana.
Names will surface. Contracts will be scrutinized. The next Tiger boss will be measured by championships, recruiting, and fit with a changing college landscape.