Brian Kelly’s Role in LSU Struggles Invites Scrutiny as HC Given Stern Transfer Portal Ultimatum

Brian Kelly is not holding the LSU Tigers back. Quite the opposite, actually. The Bayou Bengals are roaring on the recruiting trail. The No. 1 ranked class in the 2026 cycle and a shiny new crown jewel in Tristen Keys—the top wide receiver prospect in America. From a talent acquisition standpoint, things in Baton Rouge are humming. But with that success comes scrutiny, especially after back-to-back years of postseason frustration. And while the knives are out for Kelly, there’s a more nuanced truth simmering beneath the surface.

Let’s not ignore the stumbles. LSU’s defense was a sieve last season, and in a league like the SEC, that’s football suicide. When the team gave up chunk plays and couldn’t get off the field on third down, the spotlight naturally shifted to the man at the helm. But what if, instead of being the problem, Brian Kelly has actually been the guy keeping the floor from falling out? That’s the take On3’s J.D. PicKell leaned into when he said, “My take on this though is Brian Kelly’s—while I see all the reasons for blame—he’s actually the reason why I’d be optimistic about LSU.” And it’s not blind optimism. It’s rooted in the foundation Kelly’s already laid.

PicKell pushed the conversation further. “As much as you talk about what LSU has not done the last couple of years, are we sure it’s on Brian Kelly?” The receipts back him up. Kelly brought in Jayden Daniels, who morphed into a Heisman-winning weapon, and hired OC Mike Denbrock, who engineered one of the most explosive units in the country. “Sure, it’s on Brian Kelly,” PicKell conceded. “It’s also on Brian Kelly to have the offense he had that was explosive as all get out. Also, who in the SEC outside of Kirby Smart do you think could have done more with LSU than Brian Kelly this past couple of years?” He added, “Made the SEC title game his first year as the head coach out there. You say Kalen DeBoer? Yeah, maybe. So I hear the idea there. I hear the thought process there.”

It’s a fair point. When Brian Kelly arrived, LSU was coming off consecutive losing seasons and a program identity crisis. But what he brought with him was credibility, organization, and a proven track record. “When Brian Kelly got to LSU, what we said was, ‘You fixed the problem, but you still have to let it run a little bit,’” PicKell explained. “This is like whenever you get your computer fixed or your pipes fixed or whatever it is—what do people tell you? Turn it off, turn it on. It’s fixed. Now let it run.” He continued, “Brian Kelly comes to LSU—the problem in itself should be fixed because of what he brings to the table. Dude’s coached a million football games and won the majority of them.” His winning percentage, stacked against the best in the nation, speaks for itself.

Meanwhile, Brian Kelly isn’t sweating the outside noise. As of Wednesday, the Tigers hadn’t lost a single scholarship player in the spring portal cycle. That’s a reflection of both roster satisfaction and player buy-in. Kelly, fresh off a round at the Zurich Classic Pro-Am with PGA pro Matt Fitzpatrick, told The Advocate, “Well, the roster’s deeper. This is a deeper roster, so this has been about developing a roster that can withstand injuries, that can certainly go through the depths of a conference schedule that pits you against the best teams in the country.”

This time last year, LSU didn’t have that luxury. Spring depth was thin, and Kelly admitted it. That’s why they aggressively pursued defensive tackle help in the 2024 portal window. This year, the Tigers can afford to be choosy. “It’s going to take some time for the entire system, the entire organization to acclimate to his way of doing things,” PicKell said. But the key word there is system. And by year four, the engine should be warm and running clean.

Still, there’s a transfer portal ultimatum looming. If a few names do slip out before Friday’s deadline, LSU could fall below the 85-scholarship threshold. That would force Kelly to react quickly, maybe even against his “be selective” stance. But with Austin Thomas, the team’s savvy GM, steering much of the roster management behind the scenes, confidence remains high. As PicKell said, “Hear me clearly—credit Austin Thomas. GM for LSU. Does everything for LSU.” The infrastructure is there.

Enough golfing, Kelly should look to beef up defense before final whistle

LSU has one last shot to patch up its 2025 roster as the NCAA spring transfer portal window swings open—and you better believe Brian Kelly is eyeing reinforcements. According to ESPN’s Greg McElroy, the Tigers’ wish list isn’t a long one, but it’s focused and all about the defense. Specifically? Safety and defensive tackle.

“It’s defensive tackle and safety,” McElroy said. “I think those are the two spots for Brian Kelly that they really need to try and go after.” And he’s not wrong—depth at both positions has been a nagging issue in Baton Rouge over the past few seasons. Kelly has already dipped into the portal once this year to grab NC State safety Tamarcus Cooley. But as McElroy put it, “LSU hosted a bunch of safeties in the winter window. They were able to sign one, but I think, in a perfect world, they would have added more.” Translation? The Tigers aren’t done hunting.

The same goes for the D-line. “They have some quality players, some young guys they’re expecting big jumps from in the second year in the system of Blake Baker,” McElroy added. “But like everybody, do you think Brian Kelly is going to turn down a quality defensive tackle body?” Didn’t think so. You can never have enough talent in your defensive tackle room.