The Brian Kelly era at LSU is over after a rough 49-25 loss to Texas A&M. Kelly, who arrived from Notre Dame in 2021 with big championship dreams, just couldn’t meet the expectations that came with the job.
He leaves with a 34-14 record. But his struggles against ranked teams and some letdowns in big moments sealed his fate.
LSU is now on the hunt for a new head coach. The program is still a massive draw in college football, with its deep roots, wild fan support, and a roster loaded with talent.
So, what happened with Kelly, where does LSU stand now, and who could be next in line? Let’s take a closer look.
The End of the Brian Kelly Era
Kelly’s four-year run at LSU just never quite took off. He managed at least nine wins in each of his first three seasons, but missing out on the College Football Playoff and dropping too many games to ranked teams did him in.
Back-to-back losses to former Notre Dame defensive coordinators Clark Lea and Mike Elko didn’t help. Those defeats seemed to signal that LSU had lost some of its edge.
The Legacy and Expectations at LSU
LSU’s football tradition is about as rich as it gets. Since 2003, the Tigers have won three national titles under three different coaches—Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Ed Orgeron. Each one pulled it off within four years of taking over.
But let’s be honest, college football isn’t what it was even a decade ago. With the transfer portal wide open and NIL money flying around, staying on top is a whole new challenge.
LSU’s Storied Tradition
Tiger Stadium, recently named the No. 1 college football stadium by The Athletic, is legendary for its electric atmosphere. Night games there? Unreal.
LSU’s ties to local talent run deep. Top recruits often stick around because of the program’s legacy. Even with recent bumps, LSU is still a dream spot for young players.
Current Roster and Recruiting
The current roster is stacked with promise. LSU sits at No. 6 nationally in 247Sports’ Team Talent rankings, thanks to strong recruiting.
Guys like linebacker Harold Perkins, freshman running back Harlem Berry, and receiver Aaron Anderson are expected back. That’s a solid core for whoever takes over.
LSU also keeps pulling in top local talent. They’ve landed six of the top eight recruits in Louisiana’s Class of 2026. That pipeline is still flowing.
The Financial Landscape
Kelly was one of the top-paid coaches in the sport, making over $10 million a year. His buyout—around $53 million—is massive, the second-biggest in college football history.
LSU will pay that out in monthly chunks through 2031, unless Kelly finds another football gig. Even with that price tag, LSU hasn’t been shy about spending. The program spent $18 million on its roster this year alone, showing they’re all-in on chasing championships.
The Search for a New Head Coach
The LSU job is wide open, and the rumor mill is already spinning. With LSU’s tradition, access to talent, and die-hard fans, it’s one of the most coveted gigs in the country.
So, who’s on the shortlist? Here are a few names you’ll hear a lot:
Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss Head Coach)
Lane Kiffin is always in the mix when big jobs open up. He’s got Ole Miss rolling, sitting in the top 10 and looking like a real playoff threat.
Kiffin’s offensive mind is a big draw. But if Ole Miss makes a deep postseason run, timing could get messy.
Clark Lea (Vanderbilt Head Coach)
Clark Lea, once Kelly’s defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, has turned Vanderbilt into a legit top-10 team. His Commodores recently beat LSU, which definitely caught folks’ attention.
Lea’s roots at Vanderbilt run deep, though. And if they make the playoffs, prying him away could be tough.
Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri Head Coach)
Eli Drinkwitz has Missouri on the rise, with back-to-back 10-win seasons and another hot start this year. He recruits well and develops talent—two things LSU can always use.
With more resources and a higher ceiling at LSU, Drinkwitz could be tempted.
Brent Key (Georgia Tech Head Coach)
Brent Key has Georgia Tech off to an 8-0 start. His teams are tough, gritty, and play hard—qualities LSU fans love.
Still, Key is a Georgia Tech alum, and if they’re playoff-bound, convincing him to leave won’t be easy.
Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame Head Coach)
Marcus Freeman replaced Kelly at Notre Dame and has already made waves. He led them to the national title game last year and has a reputation for connecting with players.
It might seem odd for LSU to go after Kelly’s successor, but Freeman’s style and results speak for themselves.
Jon Sumrall (Tulane Head Coach)
Jon Sumrall’s name is heating up in coaching circles. He’s won at Troy and Tulane, grabbing two Sun Belt titles and making an American Conference championship appearance.
Sumrall also knows the SEC, having coached at Ole Miss and Kentucky. That experience could help him hit the ground running.
Joe Brady (Buffalo Bills Offensive Coordinator)
Joe Brady helped engineer LSU’s record-setting 2019 offense. Now he’s the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, and some think he’s headed for an NFL head coaching job soon.
Still, the pull of Baton Rouge might be strong enough to bring him back to college football.
Jeff Brohm (Louisville Head Coach)
Jeff Brohm is known for pulling off upsets—just look at his recent win over No. 2 Miami. He’s had success at Purdue and now Louisville, squeezing the most out of his rosters.
But Brohm is a Louisville guy through and through. Luring him away won’t be simple.
Nick Saban (Former LSU and Alabama Coach)
Nick Saban is the greatest coach in college football history. Would he ever come back? Probably not—he’s said he’s done with coaching.
But hey, at 73, you never know. LSU’s athletic director Scott Woodward isn’t afraid to make a bold move, so maybe he makes a call—just in case.
Conclusion
The LSU head coaching job—let’s be honest—is one of the most sought-after gigs in college football.
There’s a deep history here, the kind that makes fans show up every Saturday, rain or shine.
And with a roster packed with talent, the right coach could really do something special.
Now that the search for Brian Kelly’s replacement is underway, LSU needs someone who can handle the wild world of modern college football and still live up to the program’s legacy.
We’ll see how it all shakes out—updates are coming, so keep an eye out.
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