With the Hire of cOach Brian KellyIt was believed that LSU football had taken a new direction.
No longer was the football office like a frathouse.
LSU is currently under investigation for Title IX violations. This includes Verge Ausberry, executive deputy athletic director, and Miriam Segar, senior associate AD, who were involved in handling sexual misconduct complaints. Both have been suspended by the school.
Ten former and current students also filed a lawsuit against LSU, accusing it of failing to address sexual assault complaints and violating Title IX policies.
Sharon Lewis, who used to be the schools associate AD for football recruiting, is now suing LSU. She is suing LSU, Ausberry, and Segar. They claim she was lied to about Miles’ sexual harassment, and then conspired against her.
Kelly let go Lewis among other staff members.He was hired in December. Kelly is fair and expects a lot of turnover among the roster and support staff when new coaches take over Power 5 programmes.
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Lewis addressed her complaint in a major manner last week. USA TODAY This is the original story that broke the story about the sexual harassment at LSUA copy of the amendment was sent to,
Lewis claims that she was fired weeks after LSU announced Frank Wilson’s return as associate head coach.
Wilson had been a top recruiter for Miles, with a focus on the New Orleans area. He left LSU in order to become Texas-San Antonio coach in 2016. After four seasons, he was appointed coach at McNeese in Lake Charles. He returned to LSU in December when Kelly, a Notre Dame hire, replaced Orgeron.
Wilson’s hiring was celebrated and helped to calm the LSU fan base after Orgeron had fired several assistants.
In her new suit Lewis accuses Wilson if harassing her and exposing him to her and others during the first stint at LSU. Lewis also claims that she reported Wilson’s behavior to Ausberry, Segar, and nothing was done. Lewis also accuses Wilson for harassing female workers and students, similar to the complaints made against Miles.
USA TODAY spoke to two former LSU staff members, who confirmed Lewis’ allegation.
Everyone knew Frank. One of the former staffers, who was still in her 20s at that time, told USA TODAY. It got to the point where we didn’t want any of Frank’s girls working for him. Frank’s sexual harassment of me was a constant battle for years. His comments. His behavior. He made me and so many other girls feel uncomfortable.
Kelly can be trusted to not have known about these accusations at the time he hired Wilson. Like any good LSU coach he was looking to find someone with connections in New Orleans to keep the talent pipeline flowing to Baton Rouge and stop it leaving the state.
However, with all the turmoil that has surrounded the football program and the athletic department over the last three years, someone at LSU ought to have said no.
LSU has vigorously denied the allegation.
Ernie Ballard III, LSU spokesperson, stated that we do not know of any prior allegations against Frank Wilson and that there is no evidence that such allegations were ever reported by LSU officials. Furthermore, none of these claims were made during the highly visible, independent Title IX Review that LSU initiated last Year.
Someone is lying. Lewis or Lewis? Is it LSU How you feel about LSU is likely to influence your beliefs.
LSU’s track record of handling sexual harassment and sexual assault allegations over the past ten years is not to be questioned. Lewis is the only LSU employee who has lost his job due to this scandal.
This statement rings a little louder than the LSU statement disputing Lewis latest allegation.
John Marcase is an ex-assistant managing editor and sports editors of The Town Talk. He is the author of a weekly column.
This article first appeared on Alexandria Town Talk After the latest accusations, LSU football continues to have a frat house culture
