dailyloe.com – Former LSU football coach Brian Kelly has spoken publicly for the first time since his firing in October 2025. Kelly gave an exclusive interview to USA TODAY Sports on April 15, 2026. He discussed the circumstances of his dismissal and his ongoing physical recovery. The 64-year-old coach was fired on October 26, 2025.
Kelly’s final season at LSU was marked by a significant injury. He suffered a torn labrum on September 13, 2025, during a game against Florida. The injury occurred when offensive tackle Weston Davis collided with him on the sideline. Kelly opted for stem-cell therapy and peptides instead of surgery for rehabilitation.
He explained his decision to avoid conventional surgery. Kelly said the last thing he wanted after losing his job was to be stuck in a sling. He has split his recovery time between Louisiana and Florida. The injury was his second sideline collision of the 2025 season.
Kelly had also collided with an official during LSU’s opening win at Clemson. He was steamrolled again in the Game 3 win against Florida. He would secure only two more victories after that Florida game. His tenure as head coach ended less than five years into a decade-long contract.
The contract was reportedly worth almost $100 million. When asked what went wrong at LSU, Kelly gave a direct answer. He stated the simple reason was that he did not win enough games. Kelly said a longer explanation would require a book to detail the cause and effect.
He reflected on his overall record with the Tigers. Kelly noted his team was 34-14 and 22-3 at home when he was fired. The program had two 10-win seasons under his leadership. LSU also won an SEC West Division championship during his time.
The team possessed the number one offense in college football one season. LSU produced a Heisman Trophy winner under Kelly’s guidance. He stated that other people make decisions about what constitutes enough winning to stay employed. Kelly said the definition of winning at LSU was unfortunately not met.
Since his firing, Kelly has largely avoided the public spotlight. He has heard chatter about having ample free time for golf. Kelly addressed those perceptions in the interview. The coach was Notre Dame’s all-time winningest coach before leaving for LSU after the 2021 regular season.
His firing at LSU was a unique event in his long coaching career. Kelly said it was the only time someone else dictated his coaching coordinates. His career has spanned parts of five different decades. The interview covered his past, present recovery, and future coaching prospects.[]
Source: USA Today
