LSU coach Brian Kelly faces intense scrutiny as the Tigers’ 2025 season spirals, highlighted by a shocking loss to Vanderbilt and fueling speculation about his job security and potential interest in other openings like Penn State. What began as a championship-caliber season has devolved into a fight for his future in Baton Rouge.
The 2025 college football season was supposed to be the coronation for Brian Kelly’s LSU Tigers. Everything seemed aligned for the Bayou Bengals to not only contend but dominate, with a roster stacked with championship-caliber talent. Yet, as Week 9 approaches, the narrative has flipped dramatically, leaving fans and analysts questioning if Kelly’s tenure in Baton Rouge is rapidly nearing its end.
A Disappointing Loss to Vanderbilt Ignites the Hot Seat
The tipping point arrived in Week 8 with a stunning 31-24 loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores. This defeat dropped LSU to a precarious 5-2 record, leaving them at .500 in conference play. While Vanderbilt is acknowledged as a significantly improved team in 2025, even entering the game as 2.5-point favorites at home, a program of LSU’s caliber is expected to overcome such challenges, especially with national championship aspirations.
Analyst Matt Barrie minced no words after the Vanderbilt game, declaring LSU most likely out of the playoffs race for 2025. This assessment, combined with the team’s inability to score more than 24 points in six FBS games, places the blame squarely on Kelly’s offensive schemes and overall team performance, as noted in a recent USA TODAY Sports article.
The “Jump Ship” Theory and Penn State Speculation
The discontent among LSU fans is palpable, with “natives getting increasingly more restless,” according to one report. This environment has fueled a surprising theory floated by sports commentators Shannon Sharpe and Johnny Manziel. Following the Vanderbilt debacle, Sharpe suggested that Brian Kelly might be intentionally underperforming because he is eyeing the vacant Penn State head coach position. Sharpe pointed to Kelly’s history of leaving programs for perceived better opportunities, citing his moves from Cincinnati to Notre Dame and then to LSU.
Manziel echoed this sentiment, suggesting that a move to the Big Ten and Penn State would offer a “lot easier route” and a “nice and comfy, cushy, new contract” with “a lot less of a hot seat.” This theory highlights the perceived lack of full commitment from Kelly to the LSU program, a perception exacerbated by the recent struggles.
Kelly’s Track Record and LSU’s Lofty Expectations
When Brian Kelly was hired before the 2022 season, the expectation was that he would quickly deliver a national championship, following in the footsteps of previous successful LSU coaches. However, three and a half years into his tenure, Kelly has failed to lead the Tigers to the College Football Playoff, even after the expansion to a 12-team format last year. His coaching record includes only one top-12 finish at LSU.
The LSU program operates with championship expectations, and Kelly’s inability to consistently meet them has put him firmly on the hot seat. The team’s schedule moving forward—with matchups against No. 3 Texas A&M and a formidable Alabama in about three weeks—presents a daunting challenge. Paul Finebaum remarked that while LSU might win against Texas A&M, their playoff hopes would likely be crushed in Tuscaloosa when they face Alabama.
The Growing List of Coaches Under Pressure
Brian Kelly is not alone in facing immense pressure this season. Several high-profile coaches across college football are on the hot seat, a testament to the unforgiving nature of the sport. The financial implications, particularly the massive buyouts for Power Four coaches, often complicate these decisions, but the precedent set by Penn State’s decision to pay James Franklin’s $50 million buyout has emboldened other athletic departments.
The updated hot seat rankings, as detailed by Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports, include Kelly alongside other prominent names:
- Luke Fickell, Wisconsin: Despite lukewarm endorsements from the administration, the Badgers’ 10-game losing streak against Power Four opponents has Fickell in the danger zone.
- Mike Norvell, Florida State: After nearly making the playoffs in 2023, Florida State has slumped to a 5-14 record. The administration remains “fully committed” but results must improve.
- Hugh Freeze, Auburn: Heading towards a third consecutive losing season, Freeze’s offense has been a major concern, failing to score more than 17 points in four SEC games.
- Jonathan Smith, Michigan State: A poor fit for the Spartans, Smith has struggled to build a foundation amidst a misfiring offense and struggling defense.
- Bill O’Brien, Boston College: After a promising start, the Eagles have regressed significantly, placing O’Brien under pressure following embarrassing losses.
- Bill Belichick, North Carolina: Despite a large buyout, Belichick’s inability to secure a Power Four win in his first season raises significant concerns.
- Brent Brennan, Arizona: After a strong 3-0 start, Arizona has dropped three of four conference games, pushing Brennan back onto the hot seat.
- Derek Mason, Middle Tennessee State: With a 4-14 overall record, the decision to fire longtime coach Rick Stockstill appears increasingly poor.
- Major Applewhite, South Alabama: The momentum from a bowl appearance has evaporated, with the Jaguars losing six straight after an opener win.
What Lies Ahead for Brian Kelly?
For Brian Kelly, the path forward is clear but arduous: he essentially needs to run the table through a brutal schedule to salvage any playoff hopes and secure his job. With one loss potentially leaving LSU on the outside looking in, the pressure is immense. The willingness of programs like Penn State to absorb massive buyouts, as detailed by Yahoo Sports regarding James Franklin’s exit, suggests that even Kelly’s substantial contract might not be an insurmountable obstacle for LSU’s brass if the disappointments continue.
The “Year of the Tiger” has indeed turned sour, leaving LSU fans to ponder whether Brian Kelly is truly the coach to bring a national championship back to Baton Rouge, or if the coaching carousel will spin again soon.
