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After reaching unprecedented heights coaching the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Brian Kelly agreed to take on a new challenge in the Southeastern Conference.
Kelly signed a lucrative 10-year contract with LSU in December 2021. The bold and often brash coach was tasked with leading the proud football program to another national championship.
A look back at the last three coaches to hold the head coaching position at LSU (Ed Orgeron, Les Miles and Nick Saban) shows that all three concluded their fourth seasons hoisting a national championship trophy.
Not only did Kelly fail to get the Tigers on track for a trip to the College Football Playoff, but his fourth season at the helm ended prematurely. On Sunday, LSU athletic director Scott Woodward announced that the school had decided to part ways with Kelly.
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Woodward was fired Thursday after coming under fire from Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly speaking at the Omni Dallas Hotel on July 15, 2024. (Brett Patzke/USA Today Sports)
In the wake of Kelly’s unceremonious departure, people associated with LSU during the polarizing coach’s tenure are speaking out.
While Kelly managed to achieve double-digit wins in each of his first two seasons in Baton Rouge, current and former players took issue with his apparent hands-off approach and inability to build strong relationships.
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A group of anonymous LSU employees told The Athletic that Kelly sometimes had difficulty remembering some of the full names of the players he coached.
“[LSU’s rivals would] Use it against us: ‘He will never talk to you.’ He doesn’t even know the players’ names,'” a staff member told the outlet.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly walks on the sideline in the second half of a game against Texas A&M on October 25, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
A staff member also accused Kelly of ruining LSU’s culture and not fully understanding the differences between an SEC program and what he might have become accustomed to while finding success at Notre Dame.
“It really stripped away the culture of what this place is. You know this place ain’t normal, man,” the LSU staffer said.
Kelly’s representatives could not be reached for comment.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly watches from the sideline in the second half of a game against Alabama in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Tiger Stadium, normally packed and loud, was nearly empty in the fourth quarter of LSU’s loss to Texas A&M on Saturday. Kelly met with Woodward on Sunday and then with the players.
