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After reaching unprecedented heights as coach of 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 bringing the proud football program another national championship.
A look back at the last three coaches to hold the head coaching job at LSU – Ed Orgeron, Les Miles and Nick Saban – shows that all three finished their fourth season hoisting a national championship trophy.
Not only did Kelly fail to lead the Tigers to 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 he was criticized by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry
LSU head coach Brian Kelly speaks at the Omni Dallas Hotel on July 15, 2024. (Brett Patzke/USA Today Sports)
In the wake of Kelly’s unceremonious exit, people associated with LSU during the polarizing coach’s tenure are speaking out.
While Kelly managed to reach double-digit wins in each of his first two seasons in Baton Rouge, current and former players took issue with his seemingly hands-off approach and his inability to build strong relationships.
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A group of unnamed LSU staffers told The Athletic that Kelly struggled at times to remember some of the full names of players he coached.
“[LSU’s rivals would] Use it against us: ‘He will never speak to you. He doesn’t even know the players’ names,” an employee told the paper.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly walks on the sideline during the second half of a game against Texas A&M Oct. 25, 2025 in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
One staffer also accused Kelly of ruining LSU’s culture and not fully understanding the differences between an SEC program and what he may have grown accustomed to while succeeding at Notre Dame.
“He really took away the culture of what this place is. You know this place is not ordinary, man,” the LSU staffer said.
Kelly’s representatives could not be reached for comment.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly watches from the sidelines during the second half of a game against Alabama in Baton Rouge, La., Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
The usually packed and raucous Tiger Stadium was nearly empty in the final quarter of LSU’s loss to Texas A&M on Saturday. Kelly met with Woodward on Sunday and then with the players.
