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LSU head coach Brian Kelly talks on the sideline in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 in Baton Rouge, La. AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
LSU has parted ways with head football coach Brian Kelly, and the search commences for the next head coach for the Tigers.
Kelly’s firing came on the heels of a 49–25 loss to No. 3 Texas A&M on Oct. 25 and the Tigers falling out of the rankings. LSU entered the season with national title hopes, and the Tigers (5–3) haven’t even looked like a playoff team amid a 2–3 mark in SEC play.
“Ultimately, the success at the level that LSU demands simply did not materialize, and I made the decision to make a change after last night’s game,” LSU athletic director Scott Woodward said in a statement on Sunday. “I am grateful for the ongoing consultations and support of the LSU Board of Supervisors and Interim President Matt Lee in this decision. We wish Coach Kelly and his family the very best in their future endeavors. We will continue to negotiate his separation and will work toward a path that is better for both parties.”
Associate head coach and running backs coach Frank Wilson took over as the interim coach for the rest of the season. Woodward said his staff has begun the search and acknowledged the speculation that will continue on who could lead the Tigers in 2026 and beyond.
Here’s a look at potential candidates for the LSU job:
Lane Kiffin
The Ole Miss head coach is widely considered one of the leading candidates for the LSU job.
Kiffin has the seventh-ranked Rebels (7–1) in the hunt for a College Football Playoff berth amid a competitive SEC schedule. He has turned the Rebels into a top-10 team with success at bringing in talent through the transfer portal over the past year.
LSU will need to outpay Ole Miss in order to lure him away from Oxford, though.
Kenny Dillingham
The Arizona State head coach has one College Football Playoff appearance under his belt. He’s young at age 35.
Dillingham has succeeded with the transfer portal and the NIL in order to build a talent roster. He also previously coached in the SEC on Auburn’s staff.
That said, Dillingham is coaching his alma mater, which means the Tigers will need to make a big sell to pry him away from Tempe.
Jon Sumrall
The Tulane head coach wouldn’t need to get on a plane to interview for this job.
Sumrall has a history of fixing programs, including the Green Wave (6–1). He previously had a 23–4 record at Troy.
He also has coaching experience in the SEC as an assistant with Kentucky and Ole Miss.
Joe Brady
The Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator has a history in Baton Rouge because of the 2019 Tigers juggernaut offense.
Brady, 36, served as the LSU offensive coordinator when the team went unbeaten and boasted an all-time great offense led by quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson.
Brady has expressed interest in staying at the NFL level, but LSU’s calling could change that.
Jeff Brohm
The Louisville head coach has enjoyed significant success since 2021, with a 25–9 record.
Brohm has a 91–53 career record between his time with Louisville, Purdue, and Western Kentucky. That includes eight bowl appearances in 12 years, and he has made a bowl game every year with the Cardinals.
Brohm has five wins against top-10 teams since 2017, and that includes this year when Louisville upset formerly No. 2 Miami. He notably specializes in offense, and the Cardinals field explosive offenses.
Other Coaches to Watch
Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame: While Freeman has enjoyed success with the Fighting Irish, he worked under Kelly before in South Bend, and the LSU fan base might not be ready for another Irish coach to head south.
Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri: Because of Drinkwitz’s success at building the Missouri program into a top-25 team, he could be changing Tigers teams within the SEC.
James Franklin: The former Penn State head coach piled on the wins and made the College Football Playoff last year. However, Franklin’s lack of success against top-five teams and no SEC roots are drawbacks.
Manny Diaz, Duke: Diaz has excelled at Duke with his defensive approach in a competitive ACC.
Jimbo Fisher: The former Texas A&M head coach once worked for Woodward in the 2000s, but he has also been out of major college coaching for almost two seasons.
Matthew Davis is an experienced, award-winning journalist who has covered major professional and college sports for years. His writing has appeared on Heavy, the Star Tribune, and The Catholic Spirit. He has a degree in mass communication from North Dakota State University.
