Sources: Johnson leaving Stanford for LSU

by Jeff Goodman

Updated: April 10, 2008, 12:57 PM EST 55 comments

Sources have told FOXSports.com a news conference is expected on Thursday.

Johnson, who led the Cardinal to the Sweet 16 this season, has agreed in principle to a deal that will take him to LSU, according to sources close to the situation.

Stanford athletic director Bob Bowlsby said in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Wednesday afternoon that Johnson was given permission to talk to LSU but had not yet resigned.

"LSU notified me that they wanted to talk with him this morning as I was leaving Tampa" following the women's Final Four, Bowlsby said. "The position probably pays twice what ours does so I expect he feels he has to listen. Trent has not informed me that he has accepted another position."

Johnson, 51, has spent the past four years at Stanford, but stood to lose both Brook and Robin Lopez. The 7-foot twins declared for the NBA Draft but have yet to sign with an agent.

Prior to coming to Stanford, Johnson led Nevada to its first-ever Sweet 16 back in 2004.

LSU also hired former Duke athletic director Joe Alleva last week.

LSU went to the Final Four only three seasons ago, but failed to make the NCAA tournament in each of the last two years. The Tigers went 13-18 this season, and former coach John Brady was fired during the year after 11 seasons in Baton Rouge.

Assistant Butch Pierre took over on Feb. 8 and led LSU to victories in five of its last nine contests, but the Tigers lost in the opening round of the Southeastern Conference tournament.

This week, LSU also likely lost one of its best players when 6-foot-10 freshman forward Anthony Randolph announced he intended to enter the NBA draft. Randolph did not immediately hire an agent, however, leaving a slim possibility he could return for his sophomore season.

LSU considered a range of candidates, including Travis Ford at Massachusetts, Anthony Grant at Virginia Commonwealth and Oliver Purnell at Clemson. Ford and Purnell both withdrew from consideration Tuesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.