Paul Finebaum pushes back on belief Brian Kelly should be on the hot seat at LSU

It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Brian Kelly since taking his talents from Notre Dame to LSU. While he’s had some success, certain people are putting the coach on the hot seat ahead of the 2025 season for the Tigers.

Paul Finebaum won’t do it, though. He explained during an appearance on First Take that Kelly should be given a bit more grace, and that it’s not national title or bust.

“I understand why it’s being done, because when he was hired a couple of years ago from Notre Dame, he’s the first coach, I think in forever, to leave Notre Dame voluntarily. That’s was the expectation. But I think you have to look a little closer at what Brian Kelly has done and what he hasn’t done,” Finebaum proclaimed. “He did beat Nick Saban. He got to the SEC championship game with Jayden Daniels. He’s underperformed a little bit since then, but the most important thing in college football is your roster. 

“He now has an outstanding roster. He told me a few weeks ago it’s the best roster he’s had since he was at Notre Dame. He also is recruiting at an elite level. He just picked up the No. 1 player in next year’s class yesterday. That matters. I’m sure there’ll be some pushback here, I understand that. I’ve been on the other side of these issues before. But I do not believe Brian Kelly, at this point, should be on the hot seat.”

While Finebaum made some salient points, his ESPN colleague in Kevin Clark, isn’t as convinced. He turned up the heat a bit, believing it’s time for Kelly to prove his worth, or for LSU to find a coach who can truly get them to the promised land, both in the SEC and nationally. 

“I think he should be on the hot seat,” Clark responded. “The standard at LSU is national championships. Ed Orgeron won one. Les Miles won one. Obviously, Nick Saban won one. When I look at this roster, I think they should compete for a national championship. If they don’t, something is extremely wrong. 

“I’m looking at a guy, first of all, [Garrett] Nussmeier, who should be a first round pick at quarterback. I’m looking at the portal guys they brought in. … There are no excuses. … They threw numbers at their problems on defense. So, I think there are absolutely no excuses. They went out, they have the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the country. If he doesn’t compete for a national championship, I’m talking like Semifinals, he should be looked at very, very suspiciously.”

Alas, Clark’s commentary will convince some, and there’s certainly more that feels the same. If the 2025 season is a disaster, it wouldn’t be the most surprising thing in the world to see Kelly dumped by the Tigers. 

The ball is in Brian Kelly’s court. If LSU wins, he’ll be revered, but if they disappoint? He might be yearning for South Bend. Only time will tell what comes to fruition for the veteran leader.