Rece Davis explains why LSU fired Brian Kelly originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2025 college football season will be a turning point for some programs. We’re approaching the final month of the season with ten coaches exiting their respective programs for a total of $167 million in buyouts.
Advertisement
LSU fired head coach Brian Kelly midway through his fourth season in Baton Rouge. The move came after a 49-25 collapse against Texas A&M, in which the Aggies had 35 unanswered points in the second half.
Kelly’s tenure ended with LSU sitting at 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the SEC, which is far from the national championship expectations set in Death Valley. Nothing could’ve saved Kelly’s job, especially given how last year ended. This was a continuation with time catching up to missed opportunities.
During the latest ESPN College GameDay podcast, Rece Davis shared his perspective on Kelly’s dismissal. He was quick to point out the disconnect between the expectations and LSU’s culture.
“Everybody knew every time somebody loses, especially at LSU, the fans go to try to turn over the bus,” Davis said. “If they’re behind at halftime, they get mad and leave. I mean, they’ve got awesome fans, but Pete (Thamel) made the emotional point.
Advertisement
“I’ve always thought it was a strange fit. Starting with the whole family thing at the beginning, but he’s a proven winning coach, but ultimately, he lost a bunch of big games at LSU. He got embarrassed at home a couple of times. This was the most recent one, and it seems like everybody is behaving as if you are going to win all of these big games if you don’t get out.”
More: New details emerge in Brian Kelly’s buyout situation with LSU
There aren’t many places like Death Valley. But this is a program with an identity crisis. The championships have come in waves, not bunches. Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Ed Orgeron all won single titles at LSU in the span of 17 years. The common denominator is flipping coaches when the wins don’t come. It’s not the case for Saban, who tested the NFL waters before his historic run at Alabama, but Miles and Orgeron winning percentages both above 70.
Kelly compiled a 34-14 record with the Tigers and went 19-10 in SEC play. He led LSU to an SEC Championship Game in his first season but never delivered the sustained success fans demanded.
Advertisement
LSU’s interim coach Frank Wilson take over after the bye week for a Nov. 8 showdown at No. 4 Alabama.
