Joel Klatt: Brian Kelly up against it at LSU as hot seat rumors swirl

Brian Kelly is up against it at LSU as hot seat rumors swirl and Joel Klatt is taking a close look at the Tigers for the rest of the season. Things could get dicey.

The Tigers are now 5-2 this season following a loss to Vanderbilt. But since it’s Year 4 under Kelly, LSU fans want to see breakthrough success in the College Football Playoff.

Klatt noted Kelly is feeling the heat now considering LSU won national titles under its three previous coaches. But if Kelly is indeed let go after the year, Lane Kiffin is going to be the biggest target for numerous programs.

“We’ll see what happens at LSU, that does not look good right now after that loss to Vanderbilt,” Klatt said. “So Brian Kelly, he’s up against it. They’re going to have to play great football down the stretch for him to keep his job at LSU, and then when that happens, or if it happens, that’s going to be the biggest domino. So Penn State right now is the best job available then Florida.

“But we’re all looking at LSU and looking at what goes on there, and I will just tell you this. I believe that Lane (Kiffin) is going to be one of the first two options that either Florida or, if it opens, LSU. So Lane Kiffin is either going to get a massive deal at Ole Miss to stay at Ole Miss, or he’s going to be the head coach at one of those places.”

Klatt also said Penn State is the best available option in terms of the openings. But if LSU opens alongside Florida, the coaching carousel will get even more insane, if it isn’t already.

Kelly is 34-13 at LSU since 2022. He led the Tigers to the SEC Championship Game during his first season, but has won 10 and nine games over the previous two years.

Kelly went 92-39 at Notre Dame from 2010-21, leading the Fighting Irish to the BCS National Championship in 2012 and the College Football Playoff in 2018 and ‘20 before leaving for LSU after 2021.

College football analyst Josh Pate had an interesting take on Kelly, saying it’s not that easy to just get rid of them. LSU is in a bit of a unique situation.

“The LSU situation is very unique,” Pate explained. “They don’t have a president right now, so, even if you wanted to fire Brian Kelly, who in the world is going to fire him? Who’s going to sign off on it? I think they’ll have one in there by, like, mid-November. But, are we really saying, ‘Welcome, New President! Pull this lever and get rid of our head coach’. That stuff is easier said than done.”