Only two FBS coaches have won ten games every year from 2017 through a Covid shortened 2020. Nope, Dabo Swinney isn’t one of them. Kirby Smart did not, and neither did Ryan Day. The short list represents LSU’s past and present – Nick Saban and Brian Kelly. Understandably, there were mixed reactions after the news broke of the impending hire. “He’s too old.” “He can’t win the big ones.” “He’s not a culture fit.” I understand the reservations because I understand human nature; we tend to take things for granted. We accept that Notre Dame is in the playoff hunt every couple of years, and we attribute it to the playoff committee being partial towards Notre Dame because of their history. We wait for them to fail in the playoffs because it feels good to be proven right. In the midst of overlooking and making fun of the Irish we never stop to consider how impressive it is for them to consistently position themselves to be in the playoff race in the first place. There are not many coaches winning at the rate Kelly wins. The most burdensome hurdle for Notre Dame to overcome is recruiting. According the 247 Composite rankings, the state of Indiana has a combined nine 4 and 5 star recruits in what’s considered a good year for the state. Louisiana has 15, and also has the highest number of NFL players per capita in the country according to nflcommunications.com. Not only does Louisiana have more talent, but LSU has lower admission standards which gives LSU access to hundreds of prospects that Notre Dame can’t accept. College football success boils down to recruiting, so Kelly’s 92-39 record at Notre Dame considering those limitations is impressive to say the least.

Contrary to popular belief, Brian Kelly’s personality is the perfect fit for what the program needs right now. LSU has skated by for years with Title IX issues, improper benefits, and Snapchat misjudgments. Kelly comes off as a guy that sees untucking his shirt as a walk on the wild side. LSU needs a straight-laced leader. The wild Tigers need structure, stability, and accountability. Kelly projects all three. Les Miles was considered charming when he talked in circles without actually saying anything as long as he was winning. Coach O was the state’s favorite Cajun, unintelligible son while he was winning. The best way to fit in is to win games. At 263-96-2, Kelly has won a lot of them. Speaking of fits, the coaching candidate that fans were so excited about fled to the west coast to avoid the SEC. I would not consider him a good fit for LSU.

Nick Saban was 34-24-1 when he came to LSU. Miles was 28-21. Brian Kelly is easily the most accomplished coach to be hired at LSU, and he couldn’t have come at a better time. Scott Woodward was attacked mercilessly before anyone knew who the coach would be; do not doubt him. Woodward hasn’t missed on a coaching hire at LSU, and he understands that LSU football is one bad hire from becoming Texas. Kelly has won at every stop, and I fully expect him to win at LSU with more resources than he’s ever had. If you haven’t come around yet, simply check the resume. As for me, I’m all in. GEAUX TIGERS!!