Alleva quits, but gets new job at LSU

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Photo credit Derick E. Hingle - USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Palermo reporting

LSU announces Joe Alleva is transitioning out of his role as athletic director to a new role as special assistant to the president for donor relations. Alleva has been the school’s A-D since 2008, but Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says he leaves as a widely unpopular figure.

“I think it’s not just the fans, but it’s probably the boosters and the big money people that make LSU go,” said Moran. “They got tired of him and grew weary of him being the guy in charge.”

Alleva’s popularity began to take a hit with the attempted firing of Les Miles as head football coach towards the end of the 2015 season. It got worse for Alleva when basketball coach Will Wade was suspended in early March. Moran says there’s evidence Alleva wanted to go through with the firing of Miles and not suspend Wade, but the fan outrage is with Joe.

“I think someone was going to have to take the hit for this and look it’s going to be Joe Alleva,” said Moran.

Alleva’s contract is set to expire next year, and Moran says this could be a good time for the head of athletics to step down or retire.

“His tenure has been a mix bag, there’s been success on the field, there’s been tremendous improvements to facilities, but at the same time he’s a widely unpopular figure,” said Moran.