Mike Widra

The SEC accusing LSU of “lack of institutional control” hits differently when you look at the timeline: 2011-12 — NCAA major-infractions case. Recruiting violations. LSU put on probation. 2012-17 — Booster John Paul Funes provides $180K in impermissible benefits to a football player’s family using money embezzled from a hospital foundation. 2013 — Les Miles investigation intentionally stored offsite. AD Joe Alleva recommends firing him. LSU keeps him. 2017-19 — Will Wade caught on FBI wiretap discussing a “strong-ass offer.” 2019 — LSU suspends Wade after he refuses to meet with LSU/NCAA officials. Reinstates him 5 weeks later. 2020 — LSU’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations exposed. 2020 — Odell Beckham Jr. hands LSU players cash after the national title. 2020 — LSU self-imposes scholarship cuts, recruiting restrictions and a bowl ban amid the NCAA investigation. LSU’s statement: “This decision reflects LSU’s commitment to compliance with NCAA regulations and maintenance of institutional control.” 2021 — Independent review finds systemic Title IX failures. Verge Ausberry suspended 30 days without pay. 2022 — LSU fires Wade after an NCAA Notice of Allegations containing multiple Level I allegations. 2022 — Separate NCAA case: Football commits COVID dead-period recruiting violations. One year probation. 2023 — IARP resolves the football/basketball case: multiple violations, failure to monitor, 37 football wins vacated and 3 more years probation, beginning when the prior probation ended Sept. 21, 2023. The NCAA also alleged lack of institutional control. The IARP did not sustain that allegation. 2024 — LSU pays $1.9M to settle Title IX claims. No admission of liability. 2026 — LSU rehires Will Wade. The AD announcing the hire? Verge Ausberry. 2026 — Wade pursues international pros, an NBA draft pick and players with professional basketball experience. 2026 — LSU pursues outside capital tied to future SEC media revenue. 2026 — LSU pushes to add players who signed NFL contracts and went through NFL camps. Sept. 2026 — The SEC sues LSU. Ausberry is a named defendant. LSU ultimately leaves the former NFL players off its final roster. The SEC presses forward anyway. Its amended complaint says LSU’s actions “confirm the lack of institutional control over the athletics program at LSU that is required by Article 6 of the SEC Constitution.” At the informal direction of the other 15 SEC presidents and chancellors, Sankey calls a Special Meeting for Sept. 10 to consider terminating LSU’s membership — whether LSU backs off the professional players or not. And LSU is still on NCAA probation. It expires Sept. 21. Twelve days from now. Different coaches. Different scandals. Same institution. And in some cases, the same people.