It’s about time LSU won the natty! Brian Kelly didn’t leave Notre Dame for anything less than a national championship. Now, three years in as the Tigers’ HC, the clock is ticking. With his squad set to begin spring camp on March 8, one thing is clear — 2025 is a make or break season. The talent is there. The resources are unmatched. A new yet familiar face just joined the team to fill the void left by Bo Davis. But patience in Baton Rouge is running thin.
CBS analyst and former Notre Dame TE Adam Breneman didn’t hold back in his Instagram post on March 7. “The narrative when Brian Kelly left was that he wanted to go somewhere where he could win a natty,” he stated. “He has the resources at LSU to do what he said he’s going to do. Now he’s gotta go do it.” To get over the hump, Brian Kelly didn’t just tweak the roster, he overhauled it. Could it bring the results he expects to see?
LSU boasts the nation’s No. 1 transfer portal class and a Top-10 signing class, bringing in over 20 new faces. They’ve also convinced QB Garrett Nussmeier to return instead of declaring for the NFL draft. They have weapons on both sides of the b— including defensive stars Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins. Having the resources in your hands only highest the pressure and expectation levels for Brian Kelly.
As a former recruit by the HC, Breneman knows firsthand that he isn’t for everyone. “He is an acquired taste for a lot of recruits,” he daid. “He’s different. He’s a different type of head coach… He’s just a little bit more of a CEO type of coach than some other guys I’ve been around.” This approach has led to 29 wins in three seasons, but in Baton Rouge, that’s not enough.
Why? Because Brian Kelly’s predecessors have left indelible marks on the program. LSU’s last three HCs — Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Ed Orgeron — all won national championships. That’s the bar. If he doesn’t make a serious run at a title this upcoming season, the pressure will reach a boiling point. “In 2025, there are no more excuses. It’s win big or bust,” Breneman added in his caption. But the entry of one familiar face could boost LSU’s production.
Brian Kelly adds LSU alum Kyle Williams
The departure of DL coach Bo Davis invited a scare for a potential mass transfer exodus. But Brian Kelly fixed the gap pretty quickly to prevent more setbacks to his championship goal. Former LSU DT Kyle Williams is returning to Baton Rouge when it mattered most. A 6x Pro Bowler with the Buffalo Bills, he was a cornerstone of LSU’s 2003 BCS National Championship season.
Kyle Williams spent the past five years molding his alma mater Ruston High into a defensive powerhouse with his defense holding opponents to 15.2 points per game at the state championship season in 2023. His impact will be immediate but like Brian Kelly, his success will ultimately judged by one thing — wins. So it’s going to come down to execution.
Brian Kelly is yet to win a season opener at LSU. 2025 is going to start with a huge showdown against ACC powerhouse Clemson. A win would set the foundation for his natty goal. As of now, the Tigers have everything in place to compete for a national title. It’s up to the HC to prove he was the right man for the job.
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