As of August 2025, Brian Kelly is the head coach of the LSU Tigers football team. He took charge of the LSU Tigers in 2022, and before that, he was with Notre Dame for 12 years. During that time, he won 92 games with the team and lost 39.
He turned LSU into a dominant program during his tenure there, recording two straight seasons with ten victories and winning the SEC Western Division Championship. His coaching accomplishments include three Home Depot Coach of the Year Awards, 15 bowl game appearances, and two NCAA Division II championships.
Brian Kelly Coaching History
Brian Kelly has been working as a coach since 1987.
Grand Valley State (1987-2003)
Kelly began working at Grand Valley State University in 1987 as a graduate assistant and defensive backs coach under Tom Beck. In 1989, he was promoted to defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator. In 1991, Kelly became head coach. The Lakers went on to win their first national championship in 2002 and then their second national championship in 2003. Following each of these championship seasons, Kelly was named the AFCA Division II Coach of the Year.
Central Michigan (2004-06)
Mike DeBord left Central Michigan University after the 2003 season, making Kelly the school's 24th head coach. After CMU won the 2006 MAC Championship, three days later, Kelly left to take the coaching position in Cincinnati. Over his three seasons at Central Michigan, Kelly's record was 19–16.
Cincinnati (2006-09)
In 2006, after Mark Dantonio left, Kelly was appointed head coach of Cincinnati. In 2009, he won his third Big East Coach of the Year award. He also took home the Home Depot Coach of the Year award. Kelly had a 34–6 record at the end of his time at Cincinnati. In terms of victories, he came in second in school history.
Notre Dame (2010-2021)
Kelly consented to take Charlie Weis' place as head coach of Notre Dame in December 2009. On January 1, 2010, he decided not to coach the Bearcats in the Sugar Bowl, which they lost to the University of Florida Gators in a landslide. Kelly received the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award (2012), the Football Writers Association of America Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award (2012), and the Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year Award (2012, 2018) while he was at Notre Dame. Kelly had a 92–39 record at the end of his time at Notre Dame.
LSU (2022-Present)
The Florida State Seminoles defeated LSU 24–23 in New Orleans, where Kelly made his LSU debut. In the next game, he defeated Southern 65–17 to win his first game with LSU. As of August 2025, Kelly has a 29–11 win-loss record with the team.
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FAQs on Brian Kelly
A. Brian Kelly was a linebacker.
A. Brian Kelly played for the Assumption Greyhounds.
A. Brian Kelly was born in Everett, Massachusetts.
A: Brian Kelly has three kids.
