LSU parted ways with head football coach Brian Kelly after another disappointing stretch in the 2025 season. The Tigers were expected to contend for the SEC title but failed to live up to expectations, capped by a blowout home loss to Texas A&M.
The school announced Kelly’s dismissal soon after, ending his tenure with a 34–14 record. Governor Jeff Landry’s involvement in the move quickly became a major talking point. Reports indicated that he met with LSU officials, boosters, and board members as discussions over Kelly’s future intensified.
With the university currently lacking a permanent president, Landry’s influence carried extra weight. His public criticism of the team and leadership helped build pressure that eventually led to the firing.
Just days later, Landry drew new attention by urging LSU to build a statue of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. He said the tribute should celebrate free speech and Kirk’s legacy in a newly released video.
“We’re going to put a challenge out to the LSU Board of Supervisors to find a place to put a statue of Charlie Kirk to defend the freedom of speech on college campuses,” Landry said in the video.
“I’m calling on @LSU to honor the legacy of Charlie Kirk by putting up a statue of him on campus. There is no better warrior for free speech than Charlie Kirk, and we must continue his legacy on every campus in America,” he captioned the post on X.
I’m calling on @LSU to honor the legacy of Charlie Kirk by putting up a statue of him on campus.
There is no better warrior for free speech than Charlie Kirk, and we must continue his legacy on every campus in America. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/SqzwVaEfZU
— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) October 28, 2025
LSU has not responded publicly to the request, but the call underscores Landry’s growing role in shaping both the athletic and political atmosphere around the university. The governor’s actions suggest a willingness to step directly into university affairs beyond traditional state oversight.
Why LSU Fired Brian Kelly?
Kelly’s firing stemmed from performance and expectation. LSU hired him to deliver national championship contention, but the team remained short of that goal. Despite early success, including an SEC title game appearance, the Tigers failed to build consistency.
Defensive struggles, high-profile losses, and a lack of progress against top SEC opponents fueled frustration among fans and boosters. It was decided that the program needed a reset after the lopsided loss to Texas A&M.
When the season started, it didn’t seem like Kelly would be shown the door in a matter of weeks. The Tigers started the season with four convincing wins but ended up going off track, which resulted in losses against Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, and Texas.
Associate head coach Frank Wilson has been named interim head coach while LSU searches for Kelly’s permanent replacement. The school now faces a massive buyout exceeding $50 million as part of Kelly’s contract.
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