Brian Kelly Fired as LSU Football Coach After Disappointing Season

BATON ROUGE, La. — Brian Kelly is out as head coach of the LSU football program after a disappointing season that saw the Tigers struggle to meet championship expectations.

Kelly’s dismissal comes just a day after LSU suffered a significant loss to Texas A&M, which dropped the team’s record to 5-3 and out of the AP Top 25 rankings. In his four seasons at LSU, Kelly posted a 34-14 record but failed to connect with his players or improve the team’s performance on the field.

The decision to part ways with Kelly was made after an urgent meeting between him and athletic director Scott Woodward, who felt a change was necessary following the disappointing offensive performance. The Tigers ranked near the bottom in several SEC categories, including last in rushing for the second consecutive year.

“You’re seeing the bigwigs walking in and out of the building,” one staffer told The Athletic. “This guy’s fired. That guy’s getting fired.” The atmosphere was tense as staffers tried to impress recruits amid growing uncertainty.

Kelly had been hired in December 2021 with high hopes and a 10-year, $95 million contract, aiming to replicate the success of past LSU coaches who won national championships. However, despite inherited talent, Kelly struggled to fit into the program’s culture, leading to a disconnect that reportedly alienated players.

Players and staff described Kelly as a coach who often delegated too much responsibility and failed to build meaningful relationships, which played a crucial role in fostering teamwork and culture. Many felt he did not know their names or engage with the team on a personal level.

Frank Wilson, who served as assistant head coach, has been named interim coach as LSU faces challenges ahead. ”I don’t know if there’s a ‘one thing’ that went wrong,’ Wilson remarked about the current state of the program.

As LSU’s football program resets following Kelly’s departure, the university will seek a new leader capable of revitalizing its competitive edge in the tough SEC environment.

The future of LSU football remains uncertain, as the team navigates this transition with the hope of restoring its glory in the college football landscape.