LSU Fires Brian Kelly After Blowout Home Loss to Texas A&M
By Rob Reinhart
BATON ROUGE, La. — In a move that sent shockwaves through the college football landscape, LSU announced the termination of head coach Brian Kelly late Sunday night, following the team’s 49-25 home defeat to Texas A&M Aggies and a season that fell far short of lofty expectations.
The End of the Kelly Era
Kelly arrived in Baton Rouge in late 2021, tasked with leading LSU back to national prominence. He signed a long-term deal, but the results — while respectable on the surface — did not meet the standard that LSU set for itself.
He departs with a 34-14 record at LSU (19-10 in SEC play) and no College Football Playoff appearances to his name during his tenure.
Athletic Director Scott Woodward announced the decision, stating:
“When Coach Kelly arrived at LSU four years ago, we had high hopes that he would lead us to multiple SEC and national championships … Ultimately, the success at the level that LSU demands simply did not materialize.”
What Triggered the Move
A combination of factors appears to have prompted LSU’s decision:
The 2025 team was 5-3 at the time of the announcement, with a 2-3 mark in SEC play.
The decisive loss to Texas A&M featured LSU leading at halftime only to allow a 35-point second half.
Growing concerns about program culture and coaching direction. Multiple reports pointed toward internal friction between Kelly and Woodward over staffing decisions and accountability structures.
Immediate Fallout
The Tigers announced that Associate Head Coach Frank Wilson will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Discussions are already underway regarding Kelly’s buyout, which is reported to be around $54 million.
LSU also swiftly moved to begin the search for a permanent successor, with speculation already turning to possible candidates.