Louisiana gov faces criticism from ESPN’s Ryan Clark

ESPN star Ryan Clark attacked Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry on Thursday because the search to exchange head coach Brian Kelly at LSU actually began to warmth up.

Clark criticized Landry for his determination to have the Board of Trustees arrange a committee to seek for a brand new coach rather than athletic director Scott Woodward. Clark, who performed school soccer at LSU, mentioned it was the “second most ridiculous factor” Landry mentioned this week, first pointing to Landry’s assist of a statue for the late conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Ryan Clark dismissed the thought of ​​putting a statue of Charlie Kirk on LSU’s campus. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Photos)

The Tremendous Bowl champion received emotional on “First Take.”

“To begin with, that is the second most ridiculous factor he is mentioned this week,” Clark mentioned. “The primary was him standing on campus and saying he wished to place up a statue of somebody who would not signify the individuals of Louisiana, would not signify the gamers and college students of LSU, would not signify the executives who work there. That was the primary silly factor he mentioned this week. That is the second silly factor, among the many many silly issues he mentioned.

“Scott Woodward, no matter he’s, is a man who received Jay Johnson. Final time I checked, the 2025 Louisiana State College Tigers baseball crew was just lately on the White Home getting the gate. He was there in 2019. It is among the best school soccer groups of all time. He was additionally there when he mentioned, you understand what, we will get Kim Mulkey. She’s bringing a championship to the college with Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson.”

Clark continued, saying he did not respect politicians getting concerned in LSU’s athletic division.

“To me, that is one other scenario the place politicians are sticking their noses into issues they know nothing about. I truthfully consider this was so I might sit in entrance of a microphone and say, ‘Have a look at this connection I’ve with the president (Donald Trump) and he likes to choose winners and he could make do with somebody he idolizes.’ You do not know something about soccer,” he mentioned. “There’s loads occurring within the state of Louisiana that must be resolved for the voters. I do not want you tweeting about what’s taking place at Tiger Stadium on Saturday night time. There are too many issues taking place underneath your nostril that don’t have anything to do with sports activities.

Ryan Clark previous to a recreation between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on November 4, 2024 at GEHA Subject at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Photos)

LSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER ASKS GOVERNOR’S PUSH FOR SCHOOL TO ESTABLISH CHARLIE KIRK STATUE

“Scott Woodward is an efficient man. Scott Woodward is a person who cares about LSU. In the very best of instances, again within the day, he understood what it was prefer to be a part of a winner and he has introduced extra winners again to the college. He did not miss as a result of Brian Kelly was incapable. He missed as a result of Brian Kelly was not prepared. Brian Kelly was not referred to as in. Brian Kelly did not care if the individuals of Louisiana cared about him and he did not care if the gamers knew he was. That is the place it went flawed. Not at selecting a person who was the all-time winningest coach in Notre Dame historical past. To me, it is clearly emotional, and it p—– me, however Scott Woodward deserves to choose the following head coach and the governor ought to keep out of it.”

Fox Information Digital reached out to Landry for touch upon Clark’s feedback.

Landry was on “The Pat McAfee Present” to speak concerning the head coach search at LSU. McAfee expanded on Landry’s factors about LSU’s subsequent head coach and their future contract. Kelly reportedly had a $54 million buyout choice.

“The following coach we rent could have a distinctly completely different contract,” Landry mentioned. “If that agent cannot see what’s coming down the pike… Look, these big-name coaches are large names as a result of they win. What are they afraid of? If you happen to’re the very best, you do not have to fret.

“You say, ‘Guess what? I am placing my status on the road. And if I win, that is how a lot cash I need.’ There isn’t any assure.”

Landry additionally supported the creation of a Kirk statue on campus in honor of the conservative determine.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry data a social media video outdoors the White Home in Washington, DC on March 24, 2025 (AP Photograph/Mark Schiefelbein, file)

“We’re going to problem the LSU Board of Supervisors to discover a place the place a statue of Charlie Kirk will be positioned to defend free speech on school campuses,” Landry mentioned in a video posted to his social media.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Landry additionally attended a Turning Level USA occasion at LSU. He mentioned greater than 1,500 individuals attended the occasion, which additionally included best-selling conservative writer and podcaster Allie Beth Stuckey.

Kirk was killed in September throughout an occasion on the campus of Utah Valley College. His dying sparked reactions within the sports activities world.

Observe Fox Information Digital’s sports reporting on X and subscribe to the Fox Information Sports activities Huddle publication.