LSU Fires Brian Kelly, Names Interim Staff

LSU fired head coach Brian Kelly on Oct. 26 after a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M, ending his four-season run at 34-14 and launching negotiations over a multi‑million‑dollar separation. The program immediately reshuffled staff: offensive coordinator Joe Sloan was dismissed, tight ends coach Alex Atkins was promoted to interim offensive coordinator, and associate head coach Frank Wilson was named interim head coach. LSU also picked up a recruiting win when three‑star wide receiver Kervin Johnson Jr. flipped his commitment from Louisiana Tech, helping sustain a highly ranked 2026 class that the interim staff must try to protect. The team faces an extensive offseason rebuild, with several key players expected to be draft‑eligible or enter the NFL and the transfer portal opening Jan. 2 posing retention risks. A high‑profile coaching search is already under way, with names such as Lane Kiffin being linked to the vacancy.