Tensions Rise for Brian Kelly as CBS Analyst Delivers Harsh Reality Check Despite LSU’s Latest Head Turning Hire

LSU’s got to bring home the hardware. Year four, and still no natty? That dog won’t hunt in Baton Rouge. Brian Kelly didn’t jump ship from Notre Dame for a participation trophy. He came for the whole enchilada. Last year, they had all the fixings, Jayden Daniels slinging it, but they still couldn’t seal the deal. A so-so 9-4, 5-3 in the SEC? That’s not cutting the mustard. Now, spring camp’s right around the corner, March 8th, and it’s crystal clear: 2025 is do-or-die. They’ve got the talent stacked up, resources through the roof, and a familiar face stepping in to fill the gap left by Bo Davis. But patience is wearing thin down on the bayou. 

CBS analyst and former Penn State TE Adam Breneman didn’t hold back in his Instagram post on March 7. “The narrative when Brian Kelly left was that he wanted to go somewhere where he could win a natty,” he stated. “He has the resources at LSU to do what he said he’s going to do. Now he’s gotta go do it.” To get over the hump, Brian Kelly didn’t just tweak the roster; he overhauled it. Could it bring the results he expects to see?

LSU boasts the nation’s No. 1 transfer portal class and a Top-10 signing class, bringing in over 20 new faces. They have weapons on both sides of the field, including defensive stars Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins Jr. Now, they also convinced QB Garrett Nussmeier to return instead of declaring for the NFL draft. Having these resources in hand only heightens the pressure and expectation levels for Brian Kelly.

With firsthand experience as a recruit Kelly pursued at Notre Dame, Breneman offers a unique perspective on his approach. “He is an acquired taste for a lot of recruits,” he said. “He’s different. He’s a different type of head coach… He’s just a little bit more of a CEO type of coach than some other guys I’ve been around.” This approach has led to 29 wins in three seasons, but in Baton Rouge, that’s not enough. 

Why? Because Brian Kelly’s predecessors have left indelible marks on the program. LSU’s last three HCs—Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Ed Orgeron—all won national championships. That’s the bar. If he doesn’t make a serious run at a title this upcoming season, the pressure will reach a boiling point. “In 2025, there are no more excuses. It’s win big or bust,” Breneman added in his caption. But the entry of one familiar face could boost LSU’s production.

Brian Kelly adds LSU alum Kyle Williams

The departure of DL coach Bo Davis invited a scare for a potential mass transfer exodus. But Brian Kelly fixed the gap pretty quickly to prevent more setbacks to his championship goal. Former LSU DT Kyle Williams is returning to Baton Rouge when it matters most. A 6x Pro Bowler with the Buffalo Bills, he was a cornerstone of LSU’s 2003 BCS National Championship season. 

Top Comment by Switchblade

Notre Dame managed to do better and go further after Brian Kelly left for LSU. He doesn’t seem to relate...more

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Kyle Williams spent the past five years molding his alma mater, Ruston High, into a defensive powerhouse, with his defense holding opponents to 15.2 points per game at the state championship season in 2023. His impact will be immediate, but like Brian Kelly, his success will ultimately be judged by one thing—wins. So it’s going to come down to execution. 

Brian Kelly’s still hunting for that elusive season-opening win at LSU, sitting at a tough 0-3 in his first three years. Now, 2025 kicks off with a massive clash against ACC champ Clemson. A victory there? That’s the kind of statement that lays the groundwork for a national title run. Right now, the Tigers have all the pieces—the talent, the resources—everything a championship contender needs. It’s on Kelly to prove he was the right hire, to finally deliver. Otherwise, that $60.8 million buyout? Maybe it won’t be just a number on a contract; maybe it’ll be a reality check, a very expensive one, for a gamble that didn’t pay off.