Goodbye, Brian: Who’s next for LSU?

When Brian Kelly first arrived at LSU in 2021, he was mercilessly mocked for putting on a Cajun accent. He’d seen his salary jacked up, and the buyout of his contract was a cute $54 million.

He was automatically behind the 8-ball. He had tried to sound like a Cajun, but wasn’t a Cajun. He was expected to win a National Championship. After all, the three head coaches previous to him had won one, and it’s not like he arrived in Baton Rouge with a crappy resume.

After 48 games, it was over. Kelly’s reign was over after his team was destroyed by Texas A&M at home. He was National Championship-less. He was despised by many on campus.

LSU fans couldn’t tolerate a man who won 10 games the first two years and 9 in his 3rd, could they?

The thing is that this year, the football had been odious to watch. There was nothing nice to say about an offense that was 83rd in points per game 118th in the country in rushing yards, 40th in passing yards, and 84th in sacks allowed. And that was with every game played on the schedule which included the $1 million games.

Kelly didn’t endear himself to AD Scott Woodward – who put his head on the line in hiring him – at the end by arguing that OC Joe Sloan should stay in his job, as opposed to Woodward thinking differently.

The question on everyone’s lips will be: Who will get the job?

There are a bunch of candidates you could name who would be in the mix for the job. Tulane HC John Sumrall is one. Kenny Dillingham of Arizona State has been named as a possibility. Hell, you could always go back to Jimbo Fisher. Or even Coach O. Lane Kiffin’s guys will definitely pick up the phone, while talking to Florida on the other name.

LSU of course will be pushed to the hilt to find a guy immediately. Well, before Florida, Arkansas and very probably Auburn does. It’s the SEC, after all.

My argument – as ever with these high-profile firings that gave his team a 34-14 record while he was there – is: Who would be a better hire?