LSU Fires Brian Kelly Amid Struggling Season and Fan Discontent

BATON ROUGE, La. — Brian Kelly‘s coaching tenure at Louisiana State University came to an abrupt end Sunday, one day after a disappointing 49-25 home loss to Texas A&M. The defeat marked the third loss in four games for LSU, raising concerns about a season marked by unmet expectations.

Kelly, who joined LSU in late 2021 with high hopes of winning a national title, found himself unable to make the College Football Playoff in his first three seasons. Despite winning the SEC West Division title in his first year and guiding the team to ten wins in back-to-back seasons, his fourth year quickly spiraled downhill after a series of losses.

The decision to part ways with Kelly followed a contentious Sunday morning, where university officials expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s performance and direction. The 2025 season, anticipated to deliver championship contention, instead saw a team struggling with coaching and recruitment strategies under Kelly’s leadership.

Former participants in Kelly’s programs characterized him as a CEO-style coach who was somewhat removed from day-to-day operations. Some insiders suggested this distance was particularly problematic in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference, where constant engagement is paramount. “You have to be all in,” noted one former staff member.

Kelly’s stint at LSU included the firing of defensive coordinators following poor defensive performances, alongside the promotion of quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan, which ultimately did not yield the expected results. LSU ranked last in the SEC in rushing and scoring in Kelly’s final seasons.

The Tigers’ roster underwent significant changes, with LSU attempting to build a strong transfer portal class, yet the team fell short of pre-season expectations. Critically, LSU had a potential Heisman Trophy candidate in quarterback Jayden Daniels but failed to convert his talent into consistent success.

The mounting pressure on Kelly was evident, with fans expressing their discontent publicly during games, chanting “Fire Kelly” as the team struggled. Athletic Director Scott Woodward, who had previously supported Kelly during difficult stretches, ultimately decided enough was enough, firing him with four years and approximately $54 million remaining on his contract.

Kelly’s firing adds him to a growing list of high-profile coaching dismissals, as the college football landscape sees increased scrutiny and urgency from fan bases demanding success. While he finished his career at LSU with a record of 34-14, including an SEC Championship Game appearance, performances that once sufficed for job security are no longer enough in the high-stakes arena of SEC football.

As LSU looks ahead to its next coaching hire, the challenge remains to find a leader capable of harnessing the program’s rich recruiting base while returning the Tigers to their place among college football’s elite.