Kirby Smart on LSU Firing of Brian Kelly

Georgia coach Kirby Smart said LSU’s midseason firing of Brian Kelly underscores the “boom‑or‑bust” reality of college football in the playoff era, where high expectations force quicker decisions and coaches at blue‑blood programs are often seen as “borrowing” their offices. Smart, who briefly coached at LSU under Nick Saban, declined to weigh in on specifics but framed the move as part of a broader trend of in‑season terminations driven by playoff pressures. Kelly, who had prior success at Notre Dame and arrived at LSU in 2022, was dismissed after a 5‑3 start in 2025 and failed to return the Tigers to championship contention. A 49–25 loss to Texas A&M effectively eliminated LSU from College Football Playoff contention. LSU’s firing is one of several SEC coaching changes this season, following midseason terminations at Florida and Arkansas, and reflects athletic departments’ shrinking patience amid an expanded playoff.