Timeline Reveals How Brian Kelly's Firing Exposed LSU Athletics Dysfunction
On paper, LSU has long been regarded as one of the most desirable coaching positions in college football. Yet, recent turbulence has caused potential candidates to reconsider the appeal of the job. With the close of an era in Baton Rouge, LSU’s athletic department saw another major change when athletic director Scott Woodward departed, ending his tenure that began in 2019.
Woodward’s track record included hiring championship-winning coaches Kim Mulkey for women’s basketball and Jay Johnson for baseball. However, his marquee football hire, Brian Kelly from Notre Dame, did not yield the results many expected.
Football Reigns Supreme
Despite other athletic successes, football remained the core of LSU’s identity. Under Kelly, the Tigers achieved a record of 34–14, but failed to secure a College Football Playoff appearance. The team’s latest elimination from contention on October 25 against Texas A&M solidified unease within the program.
Internal Friction and Fallout
As performance declined, tensions rose around who bore responsibility for LSU’s shortcomings. Kelly’s habit of shifting blame deepened internal divides and worsened the program’s public image. This, paired with unmet expectations, led to his swift dismissal later in October.
“In the wake of Kelly’s firing, there was a great deal of finger pointing toward who was responsible for LSU’s underperformance during his tenure.”
Political Criticism
Amid the aftermath, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry openly criticized Woodward’s decision to bring Kelly to Baton Rouge, intensifying scrutiny of LSU’s athletic leadership.
Author’s Summary
Brian Kelly’s firing exposed deeper administrative turmoil at LSU, revealing fractures between leadership decisions and athletic performance that continue to shape the program’s reputation.