A string of poor performances has made LSU look like a shadow of its former self. After the 24–31 loss to Vanderbilt, critics and fans put pressure on Brian Kelly. He had to deliver a win or face getting axed. Unfortunately for him, LSU matched up against an unbeaten Texas A&M. The Aggies handed the Tigers a 49–25 thrashing, prompting his immediate dismissal. Although his firing seemed inevitable, Urban Meyer’s revelations continue to highlight that political forces played a role in the decision.

On the 27th October episode of 3xOptionShow, Urban Meyer revealed that, with the LSU management, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry had a hand in axing Brian Kelly. He said that a close source of his confirmed the rumors behind Brian Kelly’s firing. “I did make a call to a very strong Republican, a strong friend of mine. I’ve known him for quite a while, and he is knee-deep in New Orleans and the state of Louisiana, and he said it absolutely happened,” said Meyer.

It was reported that Jeff Landry hosted a meeting of donors and athletic department officials at the Governor’s mansion to discuss Brian Kelly’s future. Several hours after the meeting, LSU triggered the $53 million buyout clause, which prompted rumors that Jeff was the one to put the final nail in the coffin. But why did the meeting take place at the governor’s mansion?

Well, LSU has a history of governors involving themselves in its football program. During the 1930s, Governor Huey Long was a big presence for the Tigers. He gave opinions on recruitment decisions and enhancement of the facilities, becoming a household name within the program. Jeff Landry could be following Long’s footsteps. After all, Landry’s interest in the team is a widely known fact.

Earlier this week, the Governor tweeted and called out LSU to rethink its decision to raise ticket prices after the Aggies beat the Tigers. That is not all. Last year, he helped bring a live tiger to revive an old tradition against Alabama. So, it’s clear to see that he is part of the LSU faithful, which may be why he is so involved in their management. With LSU being a public university, Jeff Landry is permitted to influence decisions.

However, Urban Meyer thinks Jeff’s involvement could ruin the game and the hierarchy of the football program as everyone knows it.

Urban Meyer thinks Jeff Landry’s LSU influence could change everything

It is a rare sight to see a political figure concern themselves with a college football program. For Urban Meyer, it destroys the very concept of hierarchy of a football program. Normally, a head coach would meet the board of trustees, the athletic director, the president, and the academic representative for the university to discuss the plan. The mentioned authorities then decide to hire, depending on the majority decision. So, if a person of political influence eclipses all of that, then the whole point of the system is ‘unnecessary’.

“If you’re now going to interview for the head coach position at LSU. Do you meet with the governor?” asked Meyer. A fair question, considering he himself did not ‘meet’ with governors in the four times that he had been a head coach. That gives an insight into what could happen in the future if government officials are allowed to make decisions on behalf of a football program. With Landry handpicking six of the fourteen members of LSU’s Board of Supervisors, his influence on the program appears far greater than most anticipated.

He’s also set to appoint four more members next year. Urban Meyer’s real concern is that this could mark the start of a trend, with politicians gradually taking over football programs and shaping their decisions.