An analyst warns that 2025 could be a “last chance” season for Brian Kelly at LSU due to mounting expectations.

The 2025 season is shaping up to be a defining one for LSU head coach Brian Kelly. Since taking the reins at LSU in 2022, Kelly has worked tirelessly to build the program back into a national powerhouse, a task complicated by the shadow of the 2019 national championship and the tumultuous aftermath of Ed Orgeron’s departure. Despite some early successes, including a strong 10-4 record in his first year and an impressive win over Alabama, Kelly’s tenure at LSU has yet to see the Tigers return to elite contention on a consistent basis. As the pressure mounts, college football analysts are warning that 2025 could be a “last chance” situation for Kelly to prove his worth and live up to the immense expectations of LSU’s storied football program.

LSU football, a program with a history of national titles, Heisman Trophy winners, and future NFL stars, is used to competing at the highest levels. The transition from Orgeron’s colorful, high-energy tenure to Kelly’s methodical and disciplined approach was never going to be smooth. While Kelly has laid the groundwork for future success, questions remain about whether he can fully restore LSU to championship form in the hyper-competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC). A number of factors contribute to the “last chance” narrative surrounding Kelly in 2025, ranging from his recruiting efforts to the competitive pressure from other SEC programs, particularly Alabama and Georgia.

In this article, we will examine why 2025 is poised to be such a crucial season for Brian Kelly and the LSU football program. We will look at the expectations Kelly faces, the challenges ahead, and the factors that could either elevate him to the elite ranks of SEC coaches or force a reconsideration of his future in Baton Rouge. From his track record at Notre Dame to his ongoing efforts to build a championship-contending program at LSU, Kelly’s legacy will be heavily influenced by how he navigates the next few years, particularly the pivotal 2025 season.

The Pressure of LSU’s High Expectations

LSU is not a program known for mediocrity. The Tigers’ football history is littered with championship banners, Heisman winners, and legendary coaches. From Nick Saban’s foundation-building years to Les Miles’ 2007 national championship and Ed Orgeron’s magical 2019 season, the LSU fanbase has seen their team reach the pinnacle of college football. Consequently, expectations are incredibly high, and the standard is nothing short of greatness.

When LSU hired Brian Kelly away from Notre Dame, the hope was that his disciplined, structured approach would elevate the Tigers back to the top of the SEC. Kelly had proven himself at Notre Dame, regularly leading the Fighting Irish to major bowl games and a spot in the College Football Playoff, despite the challenges of recruiting to a private, academically rigorous institution. At LSU, he inherited a team loaded with talent but lacking consistency and discipline.

Kelly’s task, then, was to refine the culture, tighten up the team’s performance, and return LSU to championship contention. While Kelly has made significant strides, the truth remains: LSU fans expect championships, not just solid seasons. The 2025 season will be the point at which Kelly is expected to show that his program can consistently compete for the SEC title and, ultimately, a national championship. Anything less would be seen as a failure by a fanbase accustomed to greatness.

Kelly’s First Few Seasons at LSU: Progress and Challenges

Brian Kelly’s first season at LSU in 2022 was a promising one. The Tigers finished with a 10-4 record, and their most notable achievement was an emotional 32-31 win over Alabama, snapping a seven-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide. It was an uplifting moment for Kelly and the LSU program, signaling that the coach could bring the Tigers back into SEC title contention. However, LSU’s season also included disappointing losses, including a 50-30 defeat to Tennessee and a 63-7 drubbing at the hands of Texas A&M. While LSU showed signs of promise, the inconsistency that plagued the Tigers during Orgeron’s tenure persisted, leaving some questions about Kelly’s ability to keep his team on track against top-tier SEC competition.

In 2023, LSU’s performance improved further, with the team finishing 9-3 in the regular season and making a strong push for a spot in the College Football Playoff. LSU’s offense, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, became one of the most explosive in the SEC, and Kelly’s ability to coach up players like Daniels showed that he could adapt to the high-powered offenses of the conference. However, the Tigers once again came up short in key games, including a loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. Despite these improvements, LSU’s inability to win key matchups against the SEC’s elite teams—such as Georgia and Alabama—has left some fans and analysts questioning whether Kelly can guide the program back to the mountaintop.

The Growing Pressure in the SEC

The SEC is arguably the toughest conference in college football, with multiple programs constantly fighting for supremacy. The Tigers’ rivals—most notably Alabama and Georgia—have dominated the conference for over a decade, and both programs continue to set the bar for success. Alabama, under head coach Nick Saban, has been the model of consistency in college football, while Georgia, under Kirby Smart, has emerged as the new dominant force in the SEC. Both teams are perennial College Football Playoff contenders, and each presents a massive challenge for Kelly’s LSU team.

In the SEC West, LSU is in one of the most competitive divisions in the country. Teams like Alabama, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss are always in the mix for the division crown, and Kelly’s Tigers must contend with these powerhouse programs year in and year out. Additionally, LSU will need to find a way to break Georgia’s dominance in the SEC Championship Game, as the Bulldogs have proven to be an almost unbeatable force in recent years.

Given the high level of competition, Kelly cannot afford another season of mediocrity or inconsistent play. LSU fans, alumni, and the administration expect Kelly to lead the Tigers back to SEC and national championship contention. If he fails to do so, the mounting pressure from the fanbase and boosters could lead to significant consequences for his job security.

Recruiting Success and Expectations

One of the key factors in LSU’s future success will be Kelly’s ability to recruit at an elite level. LSU has long been one of the top destinations for high school talent, and Kelly’s early recruiting efforts have produced impressive results. In his first two recruiting cycles, Kelly and his staff secured several top-tier prospects, including standout players like wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. and defensive lineman Jaxon Howard.

Kelly has proven that he can recruit elite talent, but the real test will come in 2025 and beyond, as LSU’s recruiting classes begin to mature. While recruiting is essential, it’s the development of that talent that will ultimately determine Kelly’s legacy at LSU. The expectation is that Kelly will continue to bring in top players while also developing those already on the roster. This combination of talent acquisition and player development is what LSU needs to return to the top of college football.

However, recruiting is a double-edged sword. If Kelly fails to meet the high expectations of LSU fans and boosters by competing for championships, the program’s patience could wear thin. In today’s era of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals and the transfer portal, recruiting is even more competitive, and Kelly will need to ensure that LSU remains a top choice for the nation’s best high school talent.

The “Last Chance” Narrative: What’s at Stake for Kelly

The idea that 2025 could be a “last chance” year for Brian Kelly stems from several intersecting factors: the pressure to perform in the ultra-competitive SEC, the high expectations placed on LSU’s program, and Kelly’s need to deliver a championship-caliber team. By 2025, Kelly will have had ample time to recruit, develop, and adjust his program to succeed in the SEC. If LSU remains a competitive team but fails to reach the SEC Championship Game or the College Football Playoff, it could spell the end of Kelly’s tenure at LSU.

The “last chance” narrative is especially significant because LSU is a program with little tolerance for mediocrity. LSU’s fanbase demands results. Programs that fail to meet expectations often find themselves making coaching changes quickly. While Kelly has a solid contract, and LSU administration has shown some patience with his rebuilding efforts, it is unclear how long they will tolerate a lack of championship success.

A successful 2025 season for Kelly would likely involve LSU making a legitimate run at the SEC Championship, with a top-tier showing in the College Football Playoff. Kelly must prove that LSU can not only compete with SEC giants like Alabama and Georgia but that they can eventually beat them. If Kelly can accomplish this, it will go a long way toward solidifying his place as LSU’s long-term head coach.

What Will It Take for Brian Kelly to Succeed?

In order for Kelly to succeed in 2025, he will need to address several key aspects of LSU football:

1. Quarterback Play: Jayden Daniels’ performance in 2024 will be critical to LSU’s success in 2025. Daniels is a dynamic playmaker, but he will need to perform consistently at a high level to elevate LSU’s offense.
2. Defensive Improvement: LSU’s defense must continue to improve, especially against high-powered SEC offenses. The Tigers must develop a more formidable defense to compete against teams like Alabama and Georgia.
3. Recruiting: Kelly must continue to recruit top talent and integrate those players into the system. In particular, LSU’s offensive and defensive lines must continue to be a priority in the recruiting process.
4. Coaching Adjustments: Kelly must continue to adjust his coaching style to fit the demands of the SEC. His methodical approach needs to adapt to the high-speed, high-pressure environment of the SEC and national championships.