LSU AD explains why Brian Kelly didn't 'connect' with program

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.’ That’s who we had. That’s why we got what we got. There was no feel, there was no connection between the LSU football program, the coach, and the fans.”

Though Ausberry never directly mentions or criticizes Kelly, the comparison he's drawing between Kiffin and Kelly speaks for itself. He went on to elaborate upon the issues with connection, pointing out that Kelly didn't have significant relationships with staff or former players.

“There was no connection and no building,” Ausberry said. “Not many employees connected. The former players didn’t connect. Yeah, I’m saying it.

“Now, former players live over there (at the facility), go over there, we welcome them over there, (they) work out over there. That’s what we want. That’s who LSU used to be. Former players came in the weight room, and they worked out. There wasn’t signing no form to be able to work out, or, ‘Who are you? You can’t work out at this time.’”