Grading Brian Kelly: CBS Sports Gives LSU Football’s Coach a Grade After Year Three
As Brian Kelly enters his fourth season as head coach of LSU football, it’s clear that the program has undergone significant transformation. In a relatively short time, Kelly has established himself as a strong leader, rebuilding the team after a period of instability under Ed Orgeron. While it’s too early to evaluate Kelly’s legacy fully, there is ample evidence to suggest that LSU is trending in the right direction under his stewardship.
Recently, CBS Sports offered its assessment of Brian Kelly’s performance as LSU’s head coach after three seasons, providing a critical look at his work so far. With a mixture of high expectations and past successes, the review touches on various aspects of Kelly’s tenure—from the team’s on-field performance to the overall culture he’s fostered. As fans, players, and analysts continue to gauge Kelly’s impact on the program, this evaluation offers insight into his work and LSU’s trajectory moving forward.
This article takes a deeper dive into Brian Kelly’s third year at LSU, grading his performance and highlighting the areas where he has succeeded and where there is still room for improvement.
The Expectations Surrounding Brian Kelly’s Hire
When Brian Kelly was hired by LSU in 2022, there was immediate excitement surrounding his arrival. After all, Kelly came to Baton Rouge with an impressive resume, including a decorated career at Notre Dame, where he led the Fighting Irish to multiple College Football Playoff appearances and built one of the most consistent programs in college football. However, he was also tasked with a considerable challenge: replacing a highly successful, yet tumultuous, era under Ed Orgeron.
Orgeron led LSU to a national championship in 2019, but the program quickly fell into disarray following that magical season. As the Tigers struggled in the ensuing years, LSU’s football program faced internal issues, including inconsistent recruiting, poor player development, and a lack of discipline. Kelly, known for his focus on culture, discipline, and player development, was expected to restore order and return LSU to national prominence.
The pressure on Kelly was immense. LSU fans, eager for a return to championship contention, were counting on Kelly to quickly rebuild a program that had, at times, looked fractured and lost. The hire was one of the most significant in college football history, and the expectations were clear: Kelly was expected to bring LSU back to the national stage.
Year One Under Brian Kelly: The Transition
Brian Kelly’s first season at LSU, in 2022, was filled with challenges, both expected and unforeseen. It was a year of transition, as Kelly worked to instill his philosophy and rebuild the team following Orgeron’s departure. After a season full of ups and downs, LSU ended the year with a respectable 10-4 record, including an SEC West Division title. While Kelly’s first season certainly didn’t produce a national championship, it showed that LSU was heading in the right direction under his leadership.
In 2022, Kelly’s Tigers defeated top-tier programs like Alabama and Ole Miss, and the team was competitive in nearly every game. It was clear that Kelly was having an impact on the program immediately, despite facing significant turnover and roster challenges. The players responded to Kelly’s approach, and his emphasis on discipline and attention to detail became evident in LSU’s performance on the field. There was also the impressive development of key players such as quarterback Jayden Daniels, who made significant strides under Kelly’s coaching.
While LSU’s 2022 season was filled with promise, there were also areas that needed improvement. The team’s defense, which had been a strength under Orgeron, struggled to find consistency, especially in critical moments. The offensive line, while improved from the previous year, still needed work. Additionally, LSU’s recruiting class in 2022 was not as strong as Kelly would have liked, given the urgency of rebuilding the program.
Year Two: The Tigers Begin to Thrive
By Year 2 of Kelly’s tenure in 2023, LSU had made notable progress. The team posted an 11-2 record and finished as one of the top teams in the SEC. The Tigers came close to clinching a College Football Playoff spot, though they fell just short after a heartbreaking loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. Nonetheless, LSU’s performance in 2023 marked a clear step forward in Kelly’s rebuilding project.
Key to LSU’s success was the development of quarterback Jayden Daniels, who had become one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football. Under Kelly’s guidance, Daniels grew into a true leader and played a pivotal role in LSU’s success. The offense, under Kelly’s direction, was explosive and balanced, with playmakers emerging at every level.
Kelly’s second year also saw improvements on defense, as LSU’s unit began to look more cohesive and organized. The defense’s performance against high-powered offenses like Florida State and Alabama demonstrated that Kelly’s philosophy was beginning to take hold. LSU was tougher, more disciplined, and more aggressive under the defensive-minded coordinator Matt House, who had helped turn the defense around after a rocky start.
On the recruiting front, Kelly made significant strides in securing top talent. His efforts in recruiting elite high school players, along with his successful transfer portal activity, helped strengthen the Tigers’ roster. LSU’s recruiting class in 2023 was much improved and included a mix of top high school players and instant-impact transfers. The growth in recruiting allowed Kelly to bring in talent that could compete at the highest levels of college football.
Year Three: The Tigers Continue to Ascend
In his third year, 2024, Brian Kelly’s LSU Tigers continued to show improvement. The team had a strong regular season, with notable wins over top SEC teams like Texas A&M, Mississippi State, and Arkansas. The Tigers entered the College Football Playoff conversation once again, though they faced stiff competition in a loaded SEC.
2024 was a year of refinement for LSU. Kelly had now fully implemented his system and philosophy, and the team showed more consistency than ever before. While LSU didn’t reach the heights of some of its SEC competitors like Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State, they were competitive at the highest level and showed the potential to compete for a national title in the near future.
The offense, led by Jayden Daniels and a wealth of playmakers, was one of the most potent in the SEC. The offensive line, a point of emphasis for Kelly from the start, had grown into one of the best in the conference. The defense, while still not quite at the level of LSU’s elite units from years past, continued to improve under House’s direction.
Perhaps most importantly, the Tigers’ recruiting was at an all-time high. LSU landed multiple five-star recruits in the 2024 class and continued to dominate in the transfer portal, bringing in key players who helped elevate the team’s overall talent. Kelly’s recruiting prowess was finally becoming evident, and the program was beginning to show the depth needed to compete with the SEC’s elite teams.
Grading Brian Kelly: CBS Sports’ Evaluation
After three seasons, CBS Sports recently graded Brian Kelly’s performance as LSU’s head coach. The evaluation was comprehensive, looking at several key areas, including his coaching, recruiting, player development, and overall program building.
Coaching: A-
CBS Sports gave Kelly an “A-” grade for his coaching performance. The assessment highlighted Kelly’s ability to adapt to the challenges of leading a program like LSU while maintaining his trademark discipline and structure. Kelly’s strategic acumen, particularly in big games, was praised, as was his ability to develop Jayden Daniels into an elite quarterback. However, some critics noted that Kelly’s teams have not yet reached the level of consistency seen in Alabama or Georgia, particularly in high-pressure situations.
Recruiting: A
Kelly’s recruiting efforts were given a solid “A.” Under his leadership, LSU has returned to being a top-tier recruiting program, landing elite players both from high school and the transfer portal. Kelly’s focus on recruiting talent to build depth across all positions has begun to pay off, and his efforts to secure five-star players have been particularly impressive. While LSU’s recruiting still doesn’t match Alabama’s on an annual basis, Kelly has elevated the program significantly.
Player Development: B+
Player development was graded at a “B+.” While LSU has seen significant growth from key players, such as Jayden Daniels, the overall development of the roster still requires some fine-tuning. The offensive line, which was a major concern in Kelly’s first year, has shown significant improvement, but LSU still lacks the depth and consistency that programs like Georgia and Ohio State have. However, Kelly’s ability to develop talent, particularly at key positions, bodes well for the future.
Program Building: A
For program building, CBS Sports awarded Kelly an “A” grade. Kelly has restored LSU’s culture of excellence, focusing on discipline, mental toughness, and long-term development. His ability to build a winning program that competes at the highest level has already become evident in just three seasons. While LSU is not quite yet at the level of Alabama or Georgia, Kelly is clearly on the right path to returning the Tigers to national prominence.
