LSU President Outlines Vision for 'Elite and Accessible' Tigers Under Wade, Kiffin

New LSU President Wade Rousse says the university's global brand will drive basketball and football programs back to the top of the SEC.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 6:33pm

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting the action of a college basketball or football game, with players and the playing field broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color, conveying the energy and intensity of the sport.LSU's new leadership aims to rebuild the university's athletics programs into a global brand that is both 'elite and accessible'.Baton Rouge Today

In an exclusive interview with WWL Radio, new LSU President Wade Rousse outlined his vision for the university's athletics programs under the leadership of new basketball coach Will Wade and football coach Lane Kiffin. Rousse said the goal is to make LSU 'elite and accessible,' building the school's global brand while also fostering stronger connections with alumni and the local community.

Why it matters

LSU's basketball and football programs have struggled in recent years, and the hiring of Wade and Kiffin represents a major effort to restore the Tigers to national prominence. Rousse's comments suggest the university is taking a comprehensive approach, focusing not just on winning games but also on strengthening the school's overall brand and engagement with its supporters.

The details

Rousse, who previously held a key role at McNeese State, said the plan for LSU will be similar to what he helped implement at the smaller school, just on a much larger scale. He highlighted the importance of bringing in key personnel like former McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer, who has been hired as a Deputy AD for the Tigers. Rousse emphasized that the mission is about more than just winning, but also about connecting with current and future students, student-athletes, and alumni through the basketball and football programs.

  • Rousse was recently named the new President of LSU.

The players

Wade Rousse

The new President of Louisiana State University, who previously held a key role at McNeese State University.

Will Wade

The new head basketball coach for the LSU Tigers.

Lane Kiffin

The new head football coach for the LSU Tigers.

Heath Schroyer

The new Deputy Athletic Director at LSU, who previously served as the Athletic Director at McNeese State University.

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What they’re saying

“We are going to figure out ways that we can truly drive our brand. We have a global brand here at LSU, it's absolutely global, and we're trying to set up a university that I keep saying we're not going to be blurry in the middle, we're going to be elite and accessible.”

— Wade Rousse, President, Louisiana State University

“You think about the numbers at the flagship it's entirely different, a much larger scale … and the lights are much brighter here, but the rewards are much greater. So [Schroyer is] going to do great. He's going to fit in there. He's excited to work for Verge and try to figure out how he can bring some new dollars into the program and get our basketball program back where it needs to be. We are not satisfied by being at the bottom of the SEC in basketball, period, so we are going to work to get that thing back where it needs to be.”

— Wade Rousse, President, Louisiana State University

“We've got folks all over the world that really love the purple and gold and they continue to fly that flag no matter where they are, and it's very important for us as leadership that we continue to keep our arms wide open when they want to come back to campus and be a part of an athletic program or just want to come on campus and see a research lab. It's very important that they're part of this family and that's what is different about Louisiana.”

— Wade Rousse, President, Louisiana State University

What’s next

Rousse and the LSU leadership team will continue to work on implementing their vision for the university's athletics programs, including further developing relationships with alumni and the local community.

The takeaway

LSU's new president is taking a comprehensive approach to rebuilding the Tigers' basketball and football programs, focusing not just on winning but also on strengthening the school's global brand and fostering deeper connections with students, athletes, and supporters. The hires of Will Wade and Lane Kiffin represent a major step, but Rousse's comments suggest the university's ambitions go well beyond just on-field success.