Who Is LSU Football Coach? Brian Kelly Profile 2025

By Sarah Miller · February 7, 2026

The current head coach of the LSU football team is Brian Kelly, who has held the position since December 2021, bringing extensive experience from his tenure at Notre Dame.

Who Is the Current LSU Football Coach?

Brian Kelly is the head coach of the Louisiana State University (LSU) football program, officially appointed on December 1, 2021. He succeeded Ed Orgeron and brought a new era of expectations to Baton Rouge after a highly successful stint as head coach at Notre Dame, where he led the Fighting Irish to multiple College Football Playoff appearances.

Key Facts About Brian Kelly

Full Name: Brian Keith Kelly
Birth Date: October 25, 1961
Hometown: Everett, Massachusetts
Alma Mater: Assumption College
Coaching Experience: Over 30 years, including Grand Valley State, Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Notre Dame, and now LSU
LSU Tenure Start: December 2021
Contract: Reported 10-year, $95 million deal, one of the richest in college football history

LSU Coaching History Before Brian Kelly

Prior to Kelly's arrival, LSU had several notable coaches, with Nick Saban and Les Miles being among the most prominent due to their national championship wins. The transition from Ed Orgeron to Brian Kelly marked a shift toward rebuilding the program with a modern offensive approach and national recruiting reach.

Recent LSU Head Coaches

Nick Saban (2000–2004): Won the 2003 BCS National Championship
Les Miles (2005–2016): Won the 2007 BCS National Championship
Ed Orgeron (2016–2021): Led LSU to the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship
Brian Kelly (2022–present): Focused on program stability and elite quarterback development

Brian Kelly’s Impact on LSU Football

Since taking over, Kelly has emphasized discipline, quarterback development, and defensive restructuring. His first few seasons included significant roster turnover and culture shifts, culminating in improved performance by the 2023 season.

Notable Achievements at LSU

Recruited top-tier quarterbacks, including transfer Jayden Daniels, who won the 2023 Heisman Trophy
Improved win totals from 6–7 in 2022 to 10–3 in 2023
Secured top-10 recruiting classes in 2023 and 2024
Restored national relevance to the LSU program

Season	Head Coach	Overall Record	SEC Record	Bowl Game	Final AP Rank
2021	Ed Orgeron	6–7	3–5	Lost Texas Bowl	Unranked
2022	Brian Kelly	6–7	3–5	Lost Sun Bowl	Unranked
2023	Brian Kelly	10–3	6–2	Won Peach Bowl	#11
2024*	Brian Kelly	3–0	0–0	Season Ongoing	Preseason #18

Table data source:1, 2

The table shows a clear upward trajectory under Brian Kelly’s leadership. After a challenging 6–7 debut season in 2022, LSU improved dramatically in 2023 with a 10–3 record and a top-15 finish. The 2024 season began strong with a 3–0 start, indicating sustained progress.

LSU Football Coaching Staff Overview

Brian Kelly has assembled a high-powered coaching staff emphasizing offensive innovation and defensive accountability.

Key Assistants Under Brian Kelly

Mike Denbrock: Offensive Coordinator / Tight Ends Coach
Blake Baker: Defensive Coordinator
Todd Monken: Former OC (2022), architect of Jayden Daniels’ success
Vance Bedford: Assistant Head Coach / Secondary Coach
Gary Elliott: Recruiting Coordinator

Frequently Asked Questions About LSU Football Coach

Who is the head coach of LSU football in 2025?

As of 2025, Brian Kelly remains the head coach of LSU football, entering his fourth season with the Tigers and continuing to build a competitive program in the Southeastern Conference.

How much does Brian Kelly make as LSU’s coach?

Brian Kelly’s contract with LSU is worth approximately $9.5 million per year over 10 years, totaling $95 million, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.

Did Brian Kelly win a national championship at LSU?

As of 2025, Brian Kelly has not yet won a national championship at LSU. However, he led the team to a 10–3 record and a Peach Bowl victory in 2023, marking significant improvement.

Where was Brian Kelly before LSU?

Prior to joining LSU, Brian Kelly was the head coach at the University of Notre Dame from 2010 to 2021, where he compiled a 113–40 record and led the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff in 2018 and 2020.

What was LSU’s record under Brian Kelly in 2023?

In the 2023 season, LSU finished with a 10–3 overall record, including a 6–2 mark in SEC play, and won the Peach Bowl against Wisconsin. The team finished ranked #11 in the final AP Poll.