LSU Fires Brian Kelly; Frank Wilson Interim

LSU fired head coach Brian Kelly after a 5–3 start and a 49–25 loss to Texas A&M, ending his four-season tenure at 34–14; reporting indicated political pressure and discussions with state officials and board members factored into the decision. The university faces an estimated $50–54 million buyout tied to Kelly’s reported 10-year, roughly $100 million contract. Associate head coach Frank Wilson was named interim coach; Wilson, a New Orleans native in his second stint at LSU, called himself a “caretaker,” said he won’t speculate about retaining the job and stressed keeping recruits and steadying the program. LSU dismissed offensive coordinator Joe Sloan and named Alex Atkins the play-caller. The Tigers are idle this week and will open Wilson’s run at No. 4 Alabama on Nov. 8, while athletics director Scott Woodward has launched a search for a permanent replacement. Media have floated candidates including Nick Saban, Lane Kiffin and Dan Lanning as well as under-the-radar options such as Jeff Brohm and Brent Key, and Ole Miss is negotiating to retain Kiffin, complicating LSU’s pursuit.