Ed Orgeron offers advice to Brian Kelly amid LSU struggles: 'Take it one game at a time’

Former LSU coach Ed Orgeron offered advice to current head man Brian Kelly amid some struggles. He simply said, take it one game at a time.

It may sound like coach speak, but it worked for Orgeron and crew en route to a 15-0 record and national title win in 2019. Kelly’s team is 5-2, but has losses to Ole Miss and Vanderbilt in what some considered a make or break year for the Tigers under his watch.

Orgeron joined Andy & Ari On3 to discuss what’s next for him, as well as his evaluation of LSU during the 2025 season. That’s where he pitched his well wishes towards Kelly.

“Take it one game at a time,” Orgeron said. “I understand the pressure at LSU. The best thing (Brian Kelly) can do is block out the noise. And I think he is. Block out the noise and go beat Texas A&M and take it one game at a time. But you know what? We never mentioned the national championship. We never said we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna do that. All we ever did was talk about … competition Tuesday, turnover Wednesday, don’t repeat Thursday, focus Friday and compete on Saturday. And we took it one day at a time. When we went 15-0, we didn’t mention anything, but got better as a team.”

Ed Orgeron passes long advice to Brian Kelly

There was a lot of emotion on the LSU sidelines after losing to Vanderbilt. Notably, Garrett Nussmeier sulked on the bench after a tough one Saturday. That’s when Kelly opened up about his team’s effort.

“Everybody that’s here wants to do well, and loves LSU,” Kelly said. “Well, look, they put so much time and effort in. And, look, I recognize everybody’s angst. I mean, my meal doesn’t taste good. I’m not in a great mood. I mean, I’m not happy. I think he’s part of the entire group that, nobody’s happy. We’ve put so much preparation time and, for it not come through in those situations? The guys are angry, and they’re frustrated,” said Kelly. “And so, we’ve got to be able to turn that into allowing them to go and play this game fast and free and physical, and do that when it matters most.” 

As Orgeron alluded to, Texas A&M is next up on the docket for LSU. Kelly and crew play host to the No. 3 Aggies and an upset win would certainly turn the good fortune back towards Baton Rouge, even if only temporarily.