What Was Brian Kelly's Record At Lsu

So, you want to know about Brian Kelly’s record at LSU? Buckle up, because this is like asking a chef about the time he set the kitchen on fire but still managed to serve a pretty decent gumbo. The short answer is this: after two seasons, he was 19-7 overall. That’s not shabby, but let’s be honest—in Baton Rouge, you don’t get a parade for “not shabby.”

The Numbers That Won’t Set You on Fire

Kelly went 10-4 in his first year (2022) and then 9-3 in the regular season of 2023. That’s a winning percentage of about 73%, which is objectively good, but LSU fans measure success in national titles, not math homework. Let’s break it down so it sounds less like a stat sheet and more like a soap opera.

His record against ranked teams? That’s the spicy part. Against Top 25 opponents, Kelly is roughly 4-6 in those two years. Translation: he feasts on the weak and sometimes skips dessert against the big boys. Against Alabama? He’s 0-2, which in Louisiana is like admitting you prefer barbecue from a gas station.

The 2022 Rollercoaster (Also Known as the "Joe Burrow Hangover")

Year one was a fever dream. Kelly inherited a team that went 6-7 the year before, and somehow he dragged them to a 10-win season and a Citrus Bowl victory. The highlight? Beating Alabama’s archenemy, Ole Miss, in a shootout where the LSU defense occasionally looked like they were playing on roller skates. The lowlight? A loss to Texas A&M—a team that paid him $95 million to leave—which felt like a cruel joke from the football gods.

But here’s the fun fact: that 10-4 season included a New Year’s Day bowl win. In college football, that’s like getting a participation trophy that’s actually made of gold. Kelly’s sideline scowl became a meme, but at least the Tigers were back to being annoying to play, which is the first step to being great.

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The 2023 Season: Offense at Warp Speed, Defense on a Coffee Break

Now, 2023 was a whole different animal. The offense, led by Heisman winner Jayden Daniels, was nuclear. They averaged 45.5 points per game, which is video-game numbers. But the defense? Oh, honey. They gave up 42 points to Ole Miss, 49 to Florida State, and 34 to a mediocre Arkansas team. It was like watching a Ferrari with bicycle brakes.

Kelly’s record that year was 9-3 in the regular season, but two of those losses were by a total of 10 points—to Alabama and Ole Miss. If you squint, those losses look like bad ref calls and a dropped pass. If you don’t squint, you see a coach who still can’t win the biggest games. His record against top-10 teams during his tenure? 1-4. That’s like dating a supermodel but never getting invited to the Oscars.

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The Elephant in the Room: What About the Defense?

Let’s get this straight: Brian Kelly is not a defensive genius. He’s a CEO coach who delegates like a guy who hires a plumber and then stares at the ceiling while the pipes explode. His record at LSU is a direct reflection of a team that can outscore anyone but can’t stop a cold. In 2023, his defense ranked 107th in the country in yards allowed. That’s not just bad—that’s “I hope the offense scores every single drive” bad.

But here’s the twist: Kelly is 19-7 despite that. Imagine cooking a five-course meal with one oven mitt and a spatula that’s on fire. That’s his record. It’s weirdly impressive, like a guy who can juggle chainsaws but keeps dropping one on his own foot.

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The Surprising Fact That Will Save Your Next Cocktail Party

Here’s the zinger: Brian Kelly’s first two seasons at LSU are better than Nick Saban’s first two seasons at Alabama. Yep, Saban went 7-6 and then 12-2 in his first two years in Tuscaloosa. Kelly’s 19-7 compares to Saban’s 19-8. So, by that math, Kelly is literally one win better than the greatest college football coach of all time. Of course, Saban then won a national title in year three, so the pressure is now absolutely suffocating.

Also, Kelly’s record includes a win over a paper champion (2022 Clemson in the bowl game) and a win over a team that finished ranked (Ole Miss in 2023). So, his record isn’t just bad teams—it’s a mix of decent scalps and, uh, some very friendly scheduling.

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The Verdict: Is 19-7 Good Enough for LSU?

In most of America, 19-7 is a contract extension and a key to the city. In Louisiana, it’s a “well, we’ll see.” The fanbase is split: half think Kelly is building a dynasty, and the other half think he’s a red-faced Irish man who yells at clouds. His record is good, but not great by LSU standards. He’s 0-2 against Alabama, 1-4 against top-10 teams, and his defense makes you want to drink your Abita beer in a cold shower.

Let’s put it this way: if LSU football were a movie, Brian Kelly’s record is the second act where the hero stumbles but looks determined. You’re not walking out of the theater yet, but you’re checking your watch. The real test? Year three. If he goes 10-2 with a defense that can tie its own shoes, he’ll be a legend. If he goes 8-4 with 40-38 losses, he’ll be the guy who almost did it.

So, 19-7 is the box score. The jokes are the spice. And the future? Well, in Baton Rouge, the future is always one recruiting class away from a parade or a pitchfork mob. Stay tuned.