Less than four years after taking the helm at Louisiana State University (LSU), Brian Kelly has been dismissed from his position as head football coach, marking a significant turning point for the Tigers’ program. The announcement came late Sunday night from LSU’s athletic director, Scott Woodward, who expressed deep disappointment that the level of success expected under Kelly’s leadership had failed to materialize. This decision follows a disheartening loss to Texas A&M on Saturday, which culminated in vocal fan protests and public criticism from Louisiana’s governor.
Brian Kelly’s tenure at LSU began with high expectations. Hired away from his successful stint at Notre Dame, where he became the winningest coach in the school’s history, Kelly was brought in to elevate LSU’s football program back to national prominence. His contract, signed for ten years and reportedly worth around $100 million, reflected the school’s commitment to long-term success. However, despite a respectable overall record of 34 wins and 14 losses, the Tigers failed to capture any SEC or national championships under his guidance, falling short of the lofty goals set at his hiring.
The final blow to Kelly’s tenure came in a home game against Texas A&M, where LSU squandered an 18-14 halftime lead to suffer a heavy 49-25 defeat. The loss was so demoralizing that fans at Tiger Stadium openly chanted “Fire Kelly,” a rare and blunt display of dissatisfaction. The reaction extended beyond the stadium, with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry publicly criticizing the program’s performance on social media. Landry questioned the rationale behind raising ticket prices for the following season given the team’s underwhelming performance, underscoring the broader disappointment felt by supporters and stakeholders in the state.
Governor Landry’s involvement went further than social media commentary. According to CBS Sports, he participated in discussions on Sunday that contributed to the decision to fire Kelly. As LSU is part of the Louisiana State University System, Kelly is considered a public employee, meaning public officials have a stake in evaluating his performance. While a significant portion of Kelly’s compensation was funded through private sources such as donors and corporate sponsors, the inclusion of public funds in his salary structure ensured that state officials had an interest in the program’s direction.
Financially, Kelly’s exit will be costly for LSU. Reports indicate that he is owed approximately $54 million as part of a buyout from his contract, which still had six years remaining. Athletic Director Scott Woodward acknowledged that negotiations regarding the separation would continue, aiming to reach an outcome agreeable to both parties. This development places LSU’s administration in a delicate position, balancing financial realities with the urgent need to revitalize a struggling football program.
The decision to part ways with Kelly is particularly ironic for Woodward, who previously served as the athletic director at Texas A&M. During his tenure there, Woodward oversaw the hiring of coach Jimbo Fisher, only to later buy out Fisher’s contract for a record $77 million after inconsistent performance. This background adds an additional layer of complexity to Woodward’s role at LSU, as he navigates similar high-stakes personnel decisions amid the pressures of Southeastern Conference (SEC) competition.
The 2025 season had started brightly for LSU, with the Tigers opening 4-0 and climbing as high as No. 3 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. However, the team’s form sharply declined, losing three of their last four games and consequently falling out of the rankings altogether. This pattern of late-season collapse has now occurred two years in a row, highlighting an ongoing challenge in maintaining consistent elite performance throughout the grueling SEC schedule.
This downturn contrasts sharply with the success attained by Kelly’s predecessors at LSU. Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Ed Orgeron each delivered national championships and dominant campaigns during their tenures. Saban won the national title in his fourth season (2003), Miles secured the BCS Championship in his third season (2007), and Orgeron led the Tigers to an undefeated season and College Football Playoff National Championship before Kelly’s arrival. In comparison, Kelly’s best postseason appearances were to the Citrus Bowl in 2022, the ReliaQuest Bowl in 2023, and the Texas Bowl in 2024 — respectable but far removed from championship glory.
Woodward emphasized the administration’s commitment to maintaining high standards despite the coaching change. “I will not compromise in our pursuit of excellence and we will not lower our standards,” he