BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey, too upset last week to address the departure of athletic director Scott Woodward , said she’s happy the school has reportedly named interim athletic director Verge Ausberry as Woodward’s permanent replacement.

The Tigers opened Mulkey’s fifth season Tuesday night with a 108-55 home victory over Houston Christian.

Sitting near LSU’s bench was Ausberry, a two-time LSU football captain, Louisiana native and longtime athletic department employee. His interim title was reportedly dropped by Wade Rousse when Rousse was appointed as the school’s president Tuesday afternoon.

Mulkey declined to appear at a postgame news conference Thursday night after she learned of Woodward’s departure during LSU’s exhibition game against La

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