Woodward's departure leaves Aggies with more questions than answers

Maybe Scott Woodward couldn’t resist the allure of his alma mater. Maybe his parents residing in Baton Rouge was just too important. Perhaps he just likes to hunt alligators.

There could be many reasons Woodward opted to leave Texas A&M and take over the athletic director position at LSU. Maybe none of them have to do with the fact that he was grossly underpaid.

Woodward stunned college football by hiring A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher away from Florida State. He impressed again by landing basketball coach Buzz Williams. And by the way, the softball and track & field stadiums finally were constructed under his watch.

Yet, his $935,000 annual salary made him only the seventh-highest paid athletic director in the Southeastern Conference. Vanderbilt’s AD made more.

Closer to home, Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte received a salary increase in February to $1.31 million – about 30 percent more than Woodward. Now, Woodward has been officially introduced as LSU’s new athletic director.

Stephanie Aiple, TexAgs

Woodward’s departure to LSU came as a surprise to, raising the question of what prompted the change.

Still, we’re told money was a secondary issue to Woodward. His exit might have been about respect – or a lack of it.

About a year ago the Houston Chronicle quoted Woodward saying: "I have no intention and no desire to go anywhere else. I love it here. I love the people, the university and the commitment to education. Until they don't want me, I want to be here.”

Could it be that some in the Texas A&M hierarchy no longer wanted Woodward around? Was there friction within the power structure? Was there jealousy? Was that the reason Woodward’s salary –  though quite handsome by most standards – was below market value?

Woodward’s exit prompted A&M President Michael Young to release this statement on Thursday:

“We are grateful for Scott Woodward’s efforts in elevating Aggie Athletics and for his outstanding service to Texas A&M during his tenure as Athletic Director. His dedication to our student athletes, staff and excellence in recruitment of coaches will have a lasting impact, as will the work he accomplished overseeing the opening of several major facilities. He will be missed and we wish him the best as he heads back to his roots in his next role.”

Speaking of statements, more than once Fisher said Woodward was a major factor in his coming to A&M.

Fisher still has nine years remaining on a contract that pays him $7.5 annually. By all accounts he’s very happy at A&M and fits very well with the culture in College Station. But if LSU coach Ed Orgeron falters, Woodward would probably try to coax Fisher to Baton Rouge. 

The smart – perhaps absolutely necessary – move for A&M would be giving Fisher a large role in choosing Woodward’s replacement. Of course, the smarter move would have been avoiding this situation in the first place. Even casual college football fans could have connected the dots and foreseen that LSU could/would eventually court Woodward.

Former LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva has been on thin ice for years. The jury is still out on Orgeron. Basketball coach Will Wade might actually face a jury if the FBI brings corruption charges against him. Alleva’s ouster was easy to predict as was LSU’s pursuit of Woodward.

If A&M’s brass did not foresee that scenario unfolding … well, that’s egregious.

If they did foresee that scenario and chose to do nothing … well, that’s even worse.