In a huge milestone for LSU football, head coach Brian Kelly has left the program after three seasons. Kelly’s tenure, which began with great expectations, ends amid rising pressure and unmet goals.
Kelly arrived in Baton Rouge in 2021, leaving Notre Dame to lead an LSU program looking to regain national dominance. His first season in 2022 was promising, with the Tigers going 10-4, sharing the SEC Western Division championship, and closing the season with a strong 63-7 Citrus Bowl victory over Purdue. The 2023 season repeated this success, as LSU finished 10-3 and defeated Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Quarterback Jayden Daniels’ Heisman-winning effort demonstrated the team’s offensive ability.
However, the 2024 season witnessed a decline. Despite a preseason AP ranking of 13, the Tigers finished with an 8-4 regular-season record, including a season-opening loss to USC. While a 44-31 Texas Bowl victory over Baylor was a favorable outcome, it was insufficient to alleviate concerns about the program’s trajectory.
Critics cited a lack of progress in critical areas, including military, where staff changes failed to provide meaningful results. Offensively, inconsistency and turnovers hampered the team’s ability to compete at the highest level.
Financial reasons also influenced the choice. Kelly’s contract featured a significant buyout provision worth allegedly more than $60 million, making a mid-term departure a pricey option. Nonetheless, the institution concluded that a change was required to line with its long-term objectives.
LSU’s emphasis now goes to finding a replacement capable of regaining the program’s competitive edge in the SEC and on a national scale. The new head coach will take over a club that has a solid recruiting base but needs to be revitalized to satisfy LSU football’s lofty expectations.
As the Tigers begin this new era, the university and its supporters remain dedicated to achieving excellence and restoring their place among college football’s top.