After four uneven years in Baton Rouge, with one SEC appearance and zero CFP, LSU has decided it’s time to turn the page on the Brian Kelly chapter. On Sunday, the Tigers pulled the plug, parting ways with Kelly after a run that never quite lived up to the hype. Kelly’s last stand was a 49-25 beatdown by Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium. According to The Advertiser, the decision closes the book on an era defined by inconsistency and missed opportunities. But who will take the reins now as an interim coach and bridge all these gaps?

Who is Frank Wilson, and what sparked his return to the Tiger program?

Stepping into the spotlight is Frank Wilson, LSU’s associate HC and RBs coach, now taking the wheel in the middle of the storm. It’s a homecoming of sorts for the New Orleans native, who’s back for his second tour in purple and gold. Yes, Wilson was one of Brian Kelly’s first calls back in December 2021, and now he’s the man trusted to steady the Tigers’ ship. However, this isn’t Wilson’s first stint in Death Valley.

From 2010 to 2015, he was LSU’s recruiting ace and running backs guru, turning his Louisiana roots into gold on the trail. Under his watch, the Tigers hauled in four top-10 recruiting classes. Frank Wilson knows how to sell the LSU dream like few others can. During his first stint in Baton Rouge, Wilson helped shape future NFL stars like Odell Beckham Jr., Leonard Fournette, Jarvis Landry, and Tyrann Mathieu. Now, having built legacies once before, he’s got another shot to turn that same magic into wins on the field.

How does Frank Wikson’s journey from head coach to interim coach make an impact?

Well, stepping in as interim HC doesn’t seem like a big challenge for Wilson. After all, he’s already got prior head coaching experience under his belt. Before his LSU return, Frank Wilson took over at UTSA in 2016, replacing Larry Coker, and wasted no time making history. Yes, in his very first season, Wilson led the Roadrunners to their first-ever bowl appearance. Then followed it up by landing the No. 1 recruiting class in Conference USA. But the magic didn’t always last. Over 4 seasons, Wilson finished with a 19–29 record before parting ways with UTSA in 2019.

Soon after, he took his leadership to McNeese State, where he guided the Cowboys from 2020 to 2021, posting a 7–11 mark before stepping down. Then he was back home to work with Kelly. But now he gets the chance to step into the HC role and steer the team toward a stronger finish in their rocky season.

Why did LSU pull the trigger that led to Brian Kelly’s departure?

LSU shocked the CFB world in 2021 by luring Notre Dame’s all-time winningest coach, Brian Kelly, to Baton Rouge. The move came with sky-high expectations and a 10-year contract, making Kelly the centerpiece of LSU’s ambitious future.

After a thrilling first season that included an upset over Alabama and an SEC Western Division title, the program stalled. Despite bringing in Heisman winner Jayden Daniels and crafting a dynamic offense, defensive struggles ultimately overshadowed the flashes of brilliance.

Over four seasons, Kelly compiled a 34-13 overall record and finished 7-6 in SEC play over the last two seasons. But the cracks widened in 2025. After a promising offseason filled with top transfer portal additions, LSU’s veteran-laden roster started strong, with wins over Florida, Clemson, and South Carolina.

But glaring defensive lapses cost them against Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M. That means LSU pulled the trigger on his departure not just because of one loss. It was the culmination of unmet expectations and declining performance.

What is the road ahead for Frank Wilson’s interim mission, and what stakes are involved?

Wilson seems like the right choice at this moment, thanks to his prior experience with the program. Because of that, he knows the culture and understands the fans’ expectations and has the respect of players. But the road ahead is not easy.

LSU is playing with house money for the rest of the season. The CFP is out of reach, and a brutal schedule looms, including Alabama next week and a season-ending road trip to Oklahoma. Now with a 5-3 record and five games remaining, the interim coach can’t afford any more missteps if the program hopes to salvage its season.