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LSU football coach Brian Kelly is reportedly out after four seasons with the Tigers. According to multiple ESPN reports, LSU is holding a team meeting tonight at 8 pm to officially deliver the news to players. Associate Head Coach Frank Wilson is expected to take charge as the interim coach. Wilson, who has previously served as the head coach at McNeese State and UTSA, is currently LSU’s running backs coach and associate head coach. He has worked with LSU in two different stints and is a well-known name in Louisiana football circles. Disappointing Season For LSU Kelly’s departure comes just days after LSU’s 49-25 loss to Texas A&M, which knocked the Tigers out of the Top 25 rankings. Frustrated fans were heard chanting “Fire Kelly” during the final moments of the game. LSU had a promising first half, leading 18-14 at halftime, but things quickly went downhill. Texas A&M scored early in the third quarter, and a 79-yard punt return touchdown by KC Concepcion widened the gap. The loss dropped LSU’s record to 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the SEC, marking another disappointing season under Kelly’s leadership. Kelly’s Tenure At LSU Brian Kelly was hired in 2021 with one of the largest contracts in college football history, a 10-year, $100 million deal. During his time with the Tigers, he achieved a 34-14 overall record and 19-10 in the SEC, but failed to win a national championship, something every LSU coach before him had managed since Gerry DiNardo (1995–1999). In 2022, LSU made it to the SEC Championship Game, but lost to Georgia by 20 points. Despite moments of promise, the team struggled to find consistency and often fell short in crucial games. Massive Buyout On The Line Kelly’s contract includes a buyout of over $50 million, one of the largest in college football. It could even surpass the amount Penn State owes James Franklin after firing him earlier this season. Only former Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher has received a bigger buyout so far, as per Yahoo Sports report. LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward, who hired Kelly, also hired Fisher during his time at Texas A&M, making this another high-profile coaching payout under his leadership.
