BY RODERICK BOONE
Seems like just yesterday we were watching Glen "Big Baby" Davis, Tyrus Thomas and the LSU Tigers capturing the attention of the nation with their run to the Final Four. Well, it must seem like light years ago to LSU athletic director Skip Bertman and Tiger Nation down in Baton Rouge, La. because the ax has fallen on coach John Brady.
Apparently, Bertman was going to wait until Saturday to fire Brady. That's when the 8-13 Tigers play No. 7 Tennessee and I'm guessing Bertman wasn't confident LSU was going to pull that one out. But when word leaked Bertman planned on geting rid of Brady over the weekend, he decided to cut ties with the 53-year-old coach who's been at LSU since the 1997-1998 season, compiling a mark of 192-139.
Attendance was sagging, but Bertman said that wasn't the sole reason for his decision to fire Brady, who had three years remaining on his contract at $300,000 per season.
"The ultimate reason John was fired was not attendance," Bertman told reporters at a press conference this afternoon. "They just didn't win enough games."
Assistant Butch Pierre will coach the Tigers for the remainder of the season and LSU will more than likely conduct a national search. Look for VCU coach Anthony Grant's name to be tossed into the mix soon.