Less than 24 hours after the LSU Tigers suffered a humiliating 49-25 defeat to Texas A&M at home, sources within the program have indicated to The Athletic that head coach Brian Kelly may have coached his final game in Baton Rouge. Ongoing discussions among LSU leadership, including the state's governor Jeff Landry, are focused on determining the best path forward for the troubled LSU football program and evaluating Kelly's future.
Governor Landry convened with the LSU Board of Supervisors on Sunday evening to address the growing concerns surrounding the football program. Following LSU's third loss in four games, multiple sources revealed that athletic director Scott Woodward had urged Kelly to make significant staff changes, including the dismissal of offensive coordinator Joe Sloan, in an attempt to rectify an offense that currently ranks last in the SEC for rushing yards per game.
The situation escalated when Kelly and Woodward met on Sunday afternoon. Tensions flared as Woodward insisted that Kelly fire his play caller; however, Kelly retaliated by proposing other staff changes that Woodward found unacceptable. A program source shared, "It went bad fast," highlighting the growing discord between the head coach and his superior.
As discussions about potentially negotiating a settlement for Kelly’s $53 million buyout emerged, the question remained whether the LSU Board of Supervisors would grant Woodward the authority to pursue such options. The school has been operating under an interim president, Matt Lee, since May, following the departure of previous president William Tate to Rutgers.
In the wake of the meeting, Kelly and virtually the entire LSU coaching staff vacated the football facility, waiting for a resolution on their futures. Kelly's agent, Trace Armstrong, did not respond to requests for comments regarding the situation.
At the beginning of the season, the Tigers were ranked No. 9 in the AP poll, and Kelly embraced the heightened expectations for his fourth year as head coach. He previously stated that LSU’s roster cost approximately $18 million to assemble, significantly increasing the financial commitment compared to the previous year. Kelly had made bold claims about competing for a national championship in 2025, particularly after the Tigers concluded last season with a victory over Oklahoma, a team that ended the year with a 6-6 record.
Notably, the three preceding coaches at LSU—Ed Orgeron, Les Miles, and Nick Saban—each secured a national title within their first four years, creating a challenging legacy for Kelly to uphold. His current record at LSU stands at 34-14, with a disappointing 5-11 record against ranked opponents. The Tigers’ offense is struggling, ranking No. 105 nationally in rushing yards per carry (3.78) and No. 83 in scoring with an average of 25.5 points per game.
As the Tigers players are scheduled for an off day on Monday, they prepare for an idle week before facing No. 4 Alabama on November 8. The upcoming match presents a critical juncture for the LSU football program and could significantly impact Kelly's future in Baton Rouge.
