Brian Kelly’s LSU Turnaround: A Familiar Story of Resilience
Brian Kelly has been here before. The LSU head coach, now in his second season with the Tigers, is no stranger to adversity. In fact, he’s made a career out of turning struggling programs into contenders. His time at Notre Dame is a prime example, and now, he’s working his magic once again in Baton Rouge.
But let’s be real: LSU’s 2023 season hasn’t exactly gone according to plan. After a promising 10-4 campaign in 2022, which included an SEC West title and a trip to the SEC Championship Game, expectations were sky-high for Kelly’s squad this year. Unfortunately, things haven’t panned out as hoped, and the Tigers find themselves sitting at 7-3 heading into their final regular-season game against Texas A&M.
So, what happened? And more importantly, can Kelly pull off another turnaround like he did at Notre Dame? Let’s dive into the details.
A Rocky Start to 2023
LSU entered the 2023 season with lofty expectations. After all, they were coming off a 10-win season and had a roster loaded with talent, including quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was expected to be one of the top players in the SEC. But things got off to a rough start right out of the gate.
The Tigers opened the season with a 45-24 loss to Florida State, a game in which they were outplayed in nearly every facet. It was a humbling defeat for a team that had aspirations of competing for a College Football Playoff spot. And while LSU bounced back with wins over Grambling, Mississippi State, and Arkansas, the cracks in the foundation were starting to show.
Then came the losses to Ole Miss and Alabama. The 55-49 defeat to Ole Miss was particularly painful, as LSU’s defense was shredded for 706 total yards. The loss to Alabama, a 42-28 setback, effectively ended any hopes the Tigers had of winning the SEC West for a second straight year.
At 7-3, LSU is now playing for pride and a better bowl game. But for Kelly, this season is about more than just wins and losses. It’s about building a program that can sustain success over the long haul, much like he did at Notre Dame.
The Notre Dame Blueprint
Kelly’s time at Notre Dame provides a blueprint for what he’s trying to accomplish at LSU. When he took over the Fighting Irish in 2010, the program was in a similar state to where LSU is now. Notre Dame had gone 16-21 in the three seasons prior to Kelly’s arrival, and the once-proud program was in desperate need of a turnaround.
It didn’t happen overnight. Kelly’s first two seasons in South Bend were rocky, as the Irish went 8-5 in both 2010 and 2011. But by 2012, Kelly had Notre Dame back in the national spotlight. The Irish went 12-0 in the regular season and earned a spot in the BCS National Championship Game, where they were ultimately overmatched by Alabama.
While Kelly never won a national title at Notre Dame, he consistently had the Irish in the mix for the College Football Playoff. In his 12 seasons in South Bend, Kelly led Notre Dame to five 10-win seasons and two CFP appearances. He left the program as the winningest coach in school history, with a record of 113-40.
Now, he’s trying to replicate that success at LSU. And while this season hasn’t gone as planned, there’s reason to believe that Kelly can get the Tigers back on track.
Building for the Future
One of the biggest challenges Kelly faced at Notre Dame was recruiting. The academic standards at Notre Dame made it difficult to consistently bring in top-tier talent, but Kelly found a way to make it work. At LSU, he doesn’t have that problem. The Tigers are located in one of the most talent-rich areas of the country, and Kelly has already proven that he can recruit at a high level.
In his first full recruiting cycle at LSU, Kelly signed the No. 6 class in the country, according to 247Sports. That class included five-star offensive tackle Zalance Heard and four-star quarterback Rickie Collins, both of whom are expected to be key contributors in the coming years.
Kelly has also made it clear that he’s not afraid to dip into the transfer portal to fill immediate needs. This offseason, LSU added several impact players via the portal, including defensive lineman Jordan Jefferson (West Virginia) and linebacker Omar Speights (Oregon State).
With a strong foundation in place and more talent on the way, it’s only a matter of time before LSU is back in the national title conversation. But for now, Kelly is focused on finishing the 2023 season on a high note and setting the stage for future success.
Jayden Daniels’ Heisman Campaign
One of the few bright spots for LSU this season has been the play of quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Arizona State transfer has been nothing short of spectacular in 2023, and he’s firmly in the mix for the Heisman Trophy.
Through 10 games, Daniels has thrown for 3,164 yards and 30 touchdowns while completing 72.6% of his passes. He’s also added 918 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, making him one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the country.
Daniels’ performance has been a big reason why LSU’s offense has been so explosive this season. The Tigers are averaging 45.3 points per game, which ranks second in the nation behind only Oregon. And while the defense has struggled at times, Daniels has kept LSU in nearly every game with his playmaking ability.
Whether or not Daniels wins the Heisman remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that he’s been one of the best players in college football this season. And with one more year of eligibility remaining, it’s possible that Daniels could return to LSU in 2024 and lead the Tigers on a national title run.
Looking Ahead to 2024
While the 2023 season hasn’t lived up to expectations, there’s plenty of reason for optimism heading into 2024. For one, LSU’s schedule should be more manageable. The Tigers won’t have to face Florida State in the non-conference, and their SEC slate doesn’t include Georgia or Tennessee.
Additionally, LSU will return a lot of key pieces on both sides of the ball. If Daniels decides to come back for another season, the Tigers will have one of the best quarterbacks in the country leading the way. And with a strong recruiting class coming in, the talent level should only continue to rise.
Of course, there are still plenty of questions that need to be answered. Can LSU’s defense improve after a disappointing 2023 campaign? Will Kelly be able to continue to recruit at a high level? And can the Tigers finally get over the hump and compete for a national title?
Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Brian Kelly has been in this position before, and he’s proven that he knows how to turn things around. If history is any indication, LSU fans have plenty to be excited about in the years to come.
Key Takeaways
- Brian Kelly is no stranger to adversity, having turned around Notre Dame before taking on the LSU job.
- LSU’s 2023 season has been a disappointment, but Kelly is focused on building a program that can sustain long-term success.
- Jayden Daniels has been a bright spot for the Tigers and is a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender.
- With a strong recruiting class and key players returning, LSU is poised for a bounce-back season in 2024.
As the 2023 season winds down, LSU fans may be feeling a bit of disappointment. But with Brian Kelly at the helm, there’s reason to believe that the Tigers are on the verge of something special. After all, Kelly has been here before, and he’s proven that he knows how to turn a program around. The future is bright in Baton Rouge, and it won’t be long before LSU is back in the national title conversation.
Originally Written by: Blake Toppmeyer
