Brian Kelly was fired midway through the 2026 season by the LSU Tigers and was essentially replaced by former Ole Miss Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin by the end of the regular season. In his three-plus seasons with LSU, he could not take them to the College Football Playoff even once. He holds a 34-14 overall record with the program.
Recently, Kelly issued his support to new head coach Kiffin, boldly saying that a national championship is not far. He backed his national championship claim, referencing the NIL resources allotted to Kiffin.
“I think so,” Kelly told USA Today Sports’ John Brice and Blake Toppmeyer in an interview. “That wasn’t yes. Here’s why I would say yes. I think that they have invested in NIL for him. They have given him the opportunity. There’s a lot of good things moving in that direction. The recruiting classes are really in solid shape. And I think Lane’s a really smart football coach, so I think it’s in a really good place, and I believe because there’s an investment in that NIL, he’s going to be able to be Lane Kiffin. And that’s important.
“He’s not going to take the 18-year-old kid and develop them all the way through the ranks. And that’s fine, because that’s what they wanted. I think with those things in place, he can win the national championship.”
Despite the support, fans have no good things to say about Kelly and his bold claim.
“This mf didn’t retain Corey Raymond. Let Blake baker go to Mizzou who was already on staff only to walk it back after realizing he made a mistake. He shot himself in the foot more times than not. Letting Tommy Moffit go to A&M etc. go to hell Brian lol,” one fan wrote.
“Really I would rather Kelly never speak on LSU,” another added.
“We don’t care what you say,” one fan commented.
“Get this child killer off my screen,” another reacted.
“Bi**h acting like he didnt get NIL when he begged for it, got it, and still got his a** whipped,” one fan wrote.
“If I never see BK talking about #LSU football ever again I’ll be happy. Wasted so much talent,” another wrote.
How LSU Has Made Things Easier For Lane Kiffin
Facts back Brian Kelly’s claim that Lane Kiffin is well-fed in terms of resources. After using $91 million to finance Kiffin’s move from Oxford to Baton Rouge, they have pledged $25 million for NIL purposes.
Kiffin also paid back the trust the program showed by becoming the No. 1 team in the transfer portal. His recruiting class is currently ranked No. 7, per Rivals Industry Rankings.
Kiffin has also brought in his coaching team from Ole Miss, including offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., tight ends coach Joe Cox, and wide receiver coach George McDonald.
LSU showed similar trust in Brian Kelly, but he failed to deliver results. The program hopes the same doesn’t happen with Kiffin, too, as they long for a national championship.
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