The winningest active coach in NCAA Football did not win at a high enough level in Baton Rouge and Brian Kelly is out as head coach of the LSU Tigers. Kelly was fired on Sunday after an ugly 45-29 loss to Texas A&M. It was the third loss in four games for a team that had national championship aspirations. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says Kelly was 34-14 in three-plus seasons with LSU.
“His record is not that bad. Now it’s not great, and it’s not commensurate to the salary he got. So that’s why he got fired,” Guilbeau explained.
In a statement, Athletics Director Scott Woodward said as a proud alum, current caretaker of the athletics programs, he will not compromise LSU’s pursuit of excellence, and he will not lower the school’s standards.
LSU hired Kelly in December 2021 after 12 years at Notre Dame. He signed a 10-year contract and with six years remaining on his deal, his buyout is north of $50 million.
LSU says the terms of the separation are still being finalized. Guilbeau says Kelly will fight for every penny he’s owed.
“We have a well-placed source who said that Brian Kelly, in his mind, that $52.3 million is non-negotiable. He is insisting on all of that. And there’s really nothing in the contract that gives LSU an out,” Guilbeau said.
New Orleans native and longtime assistant coach Frank Wilson will serve as interim head coach. LSU will name a permanent successor to Kelly after the regular season. Guilbeau says Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin is likely on top of LSU’s wish list.
“He’s definitely the hottest coach, or one of the hottest college coaches in the country, I would say. So it could be between LSU and Florida for him. I think he’d be a great coach,” Guilbeau said.
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz, Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea, Georgia Tech’s Brent Key, Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham are all possible candidates.
