Covering LSU football right now means documenting one of the most chaotic periods in the program’s recent history. Brian Kelly’s firing, Joe Sloan’s dismissal, and a complete offensive staff overhaul. It’s a period that requires every available reporter on deck. That’s the scene Wilson Alexander walked back into when he returned to work for The Advocate in late October, just over a month after losing his wife.

The timing couldn’t have been more overwhelming. But for Alexander, getting back to covering the Tigers became part of how he’s processing an unimaginable loss.​“Yesterday was my first day at work since my wife died,” Alexander posted on his X. “Thank you to The Advocate for giving me space and to everyone who helped me get through the past month. I planned to take a little more time off, but duty calls. I look forward to seeing LSU’s search unfold with all of you.”

The tweet was raw and honest. This is a vulnerability you don’t often see from beat reporters, who usually keep their personal lives separate from their professional coverage. But Alexander’s situation isn’t something you can compartmentalize. 

His wife, Allyce Trapp Alexander, passed away peacefully on the morning of September 27, 2025, surrounded by her family after a 16-month battle with angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. She was only 31 years old, and by all accounts, she fought until the very end.​

Allyce moved to Baton Rouge in 2012 and then decided to make her life there with Alexander. She was a proud two-time graduate of the Manship School of Mass Communication. It is the same program that trains many of Louisiana’s top journalists. And she found her calling in government affairs. Working as a government affairs coordinator at Adams & Reese, she’d cry when she got the job offer because it was exactly what she’d dreamed of doing. 

She loved every minute of working in the Louisiana State Capitol, endearing herself to legislators with her smile and kindness. But what made Allyce special went beyond her professional achievements. She was a natural conversationalist who could talk to anybody about anything, a loyal friend who sent hand-written letters sealed with wax stamps, someone who always remembered birthdays with thoughtful gifts. Her obituary notes that she “filled her beloved husband’s days with joy,” and in a conversation with one of her best friends near the end, Allyce said, “I’ve lived a lot of life in 31 years. I have no complaints.”

Now Alexander is back on the beat during what might be the biggest story of his career, covering LSU football. The LSU community has rallied around him with an outpouring of support,

with fans and colleagues expressing sympathy for his loss and admiration for his strength in returning to work. Getting back to covering games, practices, press conferences, and the chaotic coaching search is also about finding purpose and routine during grief. 

The LSU community supports one of their own

The response to Wilson Alexander’s return has been overwhelming. From strangers to longtime followers of his LSU beat coverage, people across social media have reached out with heart-touching messages. Anand Nandur, a famous NFL mock draft maker who didn’t know Alexander, made a beautiful statement.”Wilson we don’t know each other but I am so so so sorry to hear this… I’m so sorry for your loss my man. May every memory you have with her be a blessing.” This reply captured the raw emotion many felt.  That kind of vulnerability from someone who’s never even met Alexander speaks to how his openness about returning to work resonated across the LSU community and beyond. 

What stands out in the responses is how many people admitted they don’t know how Alexander is managing to do what he’s doing. One netizen commented, “Wilson, I don’t know how you do it. I don’t know how I could other than leaning completely on God. I hope and pray you find the strength you need to love a wonderful life as your wife would have wanted.” These gestures reflect genuine concern from people who understand that getting back to work right now requires an enormous amount of mental and emotional energy. 

Another simply said, “I’ve never met you Wilson, but I have said more than one prayer for you.”  The fact that Alexander is doing it while grieving has left people in awe of his resilience, while simultaneously worried about him taking on too much too soon. The most touching messages acknowledged the reality of what Alexander is facing long-term. “God bless, Wilson. We’re all here by your side my friend. Even those who don’t have the pleasure of knowing you personally,” one person wrote, emphasizing that the support extends beyond casual acquaintances.

Perhaps the most important advice came from someone who understood the journey ahead: “Please be patient with yourself. Grief doesn’t have a timeline, and it will change you in ways you never thought possible. No one knows but you. Best Wishes.” The recognition that grief is unpredictable, that it doesn’t follow a schedule, is exactly what he’ll need to hear in the weeks and months ahead. The LSU community is committed to being there for however long he needs them.​