Brian Kelly landed in Baton Rouge with a suitcase full of championship dreams and a Southern accent to match. ‘I want a squad who can win a natty’ and LSU fans ate it up. But now, entering Year 4, there’s no natty, no playoff appearance, and a whole lot of heat under Kelly’s seat. The $60 million impenetrable safety net looks very fragile. It’s looking more like a countdown clock. And to make things worse, his reputation took a nosedive after the Greg Brooks Jr. accusations sent shockwaves through the program. Now, with a brutal 2025 season opener against Clemson looming, Kelly isn’t just coaching for wins—he’s coaching for survival.

LSU 2024 season was in shambles. They finished 9-4 in the regular season. And Kelly, for the third straight year, lost the season opener, putting the Tigers behind the playoff curve before the gumbo even finished simmering. It’s no surprise that former NFL running back Damien Harris hopped on the “Until Saturday” podcast on February 15th and lit him up for Greg Jr.’s situation and LSU’s downfall: “This should be Brian Kelly’s last year at LSU. I do not think that he is the right fit. I do not think he fits the culture… do not think that he has a firm grasp on the locker room.”

Greg Brooks Jr.’s situation poured gasoline on the fire. Brooks Jr., a former LSU safety and team captain, filed a lawsuit against the school, alleging that LSU’s medical staff ignored his symptoms and encouraged him to practice, even as a brain tumor threatened his life. His father, Greg Brooks Sr., put Kelly on blast in an emotional interview with Good Morning America: “My son almost lost his life. Coach, where were you? Forget about football. Pick up the phone and say you love the kid, man.”

That’s not just bad PR—it’s devastating. Kelly, of course, denied the allegations, firing back in a press conference: “You can question me as a football coach; you can question me with things we do on the field, but off the field… this is where I draw the line for me.” But regardless of what’s true, perception is reality, and right now, the perception is that Kelly is low-key on the hot seat with all that crazy stuff happening in Baton Rouge.

Then Damien Harris talked about Brian Kelly’s 2023 fumble: “I believe he has cost LSU some games—not only this past season but possibly in 2023 as well. That year, they had Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, and Brian Thomas, all of whom were Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates. In fact, all three were finalists at the NFL Honors awards.”

Let’s keep it real—LSU didn’t bring Brian Kelly in to just be ‘pretty good.’ They didn’t drop a $95 million bag for him to hover around 9-4 while Ohio State and Notre Dame kept eating. This is LSU. This is the school that had Joe Burrow and the greatest offense in college football history. Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr.—all Offensive Rookie of the Year finalists in the NFL. Jayden led Washington to the NFC Championship. Malik Nabers balled out for the Giants. Thomas made the Pro Bowl while grabbing 10 tuddies and over 1250 yards. All three were elite in college, yet under Brian Kelly, LSU had nothing to show for it but an empty Heisman case. That’s some crazy work by Brian Kelly.

The clock is ticking: no more excuses for Brian Kelly

LSU’s boosters don’t have the patience for “almost.” They want another 2019. They want another Burrow or Jayden Daniels in Garrett Nussmeier. And they’re looking at that $61 million buyout like it’s nothing if it means getting someone who can deliver.

The 2025 squad’s literally stacked—Garrett Nussmeier is a legit Heisman candidate. And LSU has reloaded the defense with top-tier transfers like Tamarcus Cooley, Mansoor Delane, and Ja’Keem Jackson. But all eyes are on that Week 1 showdown against Clemson. Death Valley vs. Death Valley. Kelly can’t afford another opening loss. If LSU stumbles out the gate again, that $61 million clause might just get activated. And if it doesn’t pan out, Brian Kelly might be on the move again, perhaps with a slightly different accent this time.

Brian Kelly’s literally hired to bring Natty to LSU, not to be a glorified concierge for Garrett Nussmeier or five-star recruits. Three years in, no playoff appearances, no SEC titles, and a program that feels more fractured than ever. He’s got one last shot in 2025. And if LSU doesn’t make a serious run? That $60 million safety net won’t save him. This ain’t South Bend. This is Baton Rouge. And patience is running out.