Copyright Jackson Clarion-Ledger
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry reportedly played a role in the dismissal of LSU head football coach Brian Kelly. Historically, politicians like former Louisiana Gov. Huey Long have meddled in their state's college sports programs. Conversely, sports figures such as Sen. Tommy Tuberville and former coach Derek Dooley have entered the political arena. Other sports personalities, including Paul Finebaum, are also reportedly considering runs for political office. The fine line between politics and sports, the most debated subjects in the American South outside of religion and whiskey, has been breached again. This is significantly true in neighboring Louisiana, where Gov. Jeff Landry apparently applied the coup de grace to LSU head football coach Brian Kelly. Politicians are occasionally desirous of sticking not only fingers but whole hands into college sports programs in their states. Conversely, sports figures often attempt to worm their way into politics, mainly in overarching positions like governor and member of Congress. Kelly’s firing came after his Tigers lost decisive games to Texas A&M and LSU’s most hated rival, Ole Miss. The loss to the Rebels, the second in three years, was monumentally grievous to Tiger fans due to the searing rivalry between them. His actual dismissal followed the big setback to Texas A&M. Landry, 54, then moved quickly to help exile the coach, despite Kelly’s buyout topping $50 million. Landry made it clear he’d play a few cards in deciding Kelly’s successor as head coach. Athletic director Scott Woodward also fell from favor with Landry and lost his position. It’s not the first time a top Louisiana official injected himself into the main state university’s football kingdom. The stories of Gov. Huey Long’s meddling in the program are legion. Long, who did everything but call offensive plays for LSU during his reign from 1928-1932, once fired an LSU coach, Russ Cohen, at mid-year, and re-hired him at season’s end. That’s not all. Long in the 1930s moved four injured Tigers into the Governor’s Mansion so he could care for them, forcing the players to drink large quantities of sour milk as an elixir. Clothed in a white flannel suit and tan hat, he often led the LSU band and Tiger fans in downtown parades, even for road games. Long would give the team halftime pep talks — right after accosting game referees for calls against LSU. New Orleans writer Peter Finney’s book, “Fighting Tigers II,” tells of Long’s failed attempt to make McComb’s Ibrahim “Abe” Mickal a state senator by special appointment. The Lebanese-born Mickal became one of LSU’s best players in history and in 1936, he led a college all-star team to a first-ever win over a professional squad. Mickal spurned pro football and became a distinguished physician and Louisiana medical school leader. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville is apparently not satisfied with being a mere member of Congress and has a solid chance to be elected governor of Alabama in 2026. Tuberville, 71, is a former head football coach at Ole Miss and Auburn. Tuberville, who once famously said he’d never leave Oxford (Mississippi) in anything but a pine box, more famously in 2023 held up 450 promotions of senior military officers. Former Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley is running for the U.S. Senate from Georgia. His dad, the late Vince Dooley, was Georgia’s head coach, a major plus. Another prominent sports figure said to be eyeing politics is Alabamian Paul Finebaum, the outspoken “voice” of the SEC Television Network. A Trump supporter, Finebaum, 70, would seek Tuberville’s U.S. Senate seat if he runs next year. It was reported that Finebaum was motivated to consider politics by the recent assasination of GOP activist Charlie Kirk. I don’t know whether Finebaum or former Alabama football coach Nick Saban leads that state in name recognition and popularity. Certainly nobody speaks a better game than Finebaum, so his election chances seem fairly solid. Few Mississippi sports figures have plunged into politics. Everybody believes legendary Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning could easily be elected governor. He’s spurned the idea so far.
