Another major head coaching job has opened up in college football.
LSU became the latest major program to fire its head coach amid a disappointing season as the Tigers announced the dismissal of Brian Kelly on Sunday.
Kelly’s firing came less than 24 hours after the Tigers suffered a 49-25 home loss to Texas A&M. It was LSU’s third loss of the season, effectively eliminating the Tigers from the College Football Playoff race in a season that they were expected to contend for SEC and national titles.
“When Coach Kelly arrived at LSU four years ago, we had high hopes that he would lead us to multiple SEC and national championships during his time in Baton Rouge,” LSU athletic director Scott Woodward said in a statement. “Ultimately, the success at the level that LSU demands simply did not materialize, and I made the decision to make a change after last night’s game. I am grateful for the ongoing consultations and support of the LSU Board of Supervisors and Interim President Matt Lee in this decision. We wish Coach Kelly and his family the very best in their future endeavors.”
Per LSU’s announcement, the terms of Kelly’s separation from the program are still being negotiated. Kelly is reportedly owed a $53 million buyout as a result of his firing, though his buyout would be mitigated by his future salary if he lands another coaching job.
The LSU job opening adds to a coaching carousel that looks primed to be one of the busiest years of coaching changes in college football history. Seven Power 4 teams have already fired their coaches before the end of October, with LSU joining Penn State, Florida, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, UCLA and Virginia Tech. Other Power 4 coaches who could be candidates to be fired by the end of the year include Florida State’s Mike Norvell, Auburn’s Hugh Freeze, North Carolina’s Bill Belichick, Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell, Maryland’s Mike Locksley and Michigan State’s Jonathan Smith.
Kelly’s firing comes after less than four seasons at LSU, who hired him to replace Ed Orgeron in December 2021. He went 34-14 as the Tigers’ head coach.
Before LSU, Kelly was the coach at Notre Dame for 12 seasons. He was replaced by former Ohio State linebacker Marcus Freeman, who’s proved to be an upgrade over Kelly, leading the Fighting Irish to last season’s national championship game, where they lost to Freeman’s alma mater.
Frank Wilson, who was LSU’s associate head coach and running backs coach, will serve as LSU’s interim coach for the remainder of the 2025 season as the university begins its search for its next head coach.
“As a proud alum, and as the current caretaker of our athletics programs, I will not compromise in our pursuit of excellence and we will not lower our standards,” Woodward said. “I continue to believe that LSU is the best football program in America and that our head coach position is among the best considering our investment, our ability to attract and retain talent, our unbelievable fans, and our institutional and statewide commitment to – and love for – LSU Football. We will immediately begin a national search for a new head football coach, and I am confident in our ability to bring to Baton Rouge an outstanding leader, teacher and coach, who fits our culture and community and who embraces the excellence that we demand.
“While there will certainly be speculation and reports on candidates and the process, together we will celebrate and welcome a new coach at the appropriate time. I urge all in the LSU community to continue to support our student-athletes and coaches as they compete the rest of the season.”
