Let's consider the LSU program, led by Athletic Director Scott Woodward, before drilling down on the Bengal Tigers' staff changes after Brian Kelly's firing. As an AD, Woodward is a two-time loser. He hired Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M and paid Jimbo the largest buyout in history to not coach the Aggies. Woodward also hired Brian Kelly, who may earn up to $53.5M to not coach LSU.
According to reliable source, Ross Dellenger, Woodward was not the leader in terminating Kelly. The termination was led by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. Dellenger cited an LSU influencer saying, " It’s the most Louisiana thing ever that the governor is directly involved in a decision over a football coach." For those not knowing the history of the Bayou State, Landry elicits recollections of infamous Louisiana Governor Huey Long.
There is an unconfirmed rumor that Kelly and LSU have settled for far less than $53.5M. The questionable claim is that LSU has used a morals clause in Kelly's contract to lower the buyout to around $20M. The rumor would not be worth mentioning, except that it fits the Huey Long comparison perfectly.
Alabama Crimson Tide will face an unknown LSU
LSU's interim head coach is Frank Wilson. Wilson was the Associate Head Coach and Running Backs coach under Kelly. Wilson is known as a good recruiter who prepares running backs for the NFL. Former LSU great Leonard Fournette was recruited by and coached by Wilson.
After his 2010-2015 stint as an LSU assistant, Wilson was a head coach for six seasons at UTSA and McNeese State. He was one of Brian Kelly's first hires at LSU. Wilson is not expected to be a candidate for LSU's next (not interim) head coach.
LSU Offensive Coordinator Joe Sloan has also been fired. His interim replacement is Alex Atkins. Atkins' coaching specialty is offensive line. Atkins was an Offensive Coordinator at Florida State in the 2022-2024 seasons, before being fired by Mike Norvell. He was also an OC and run game coordinator at Charlotte. His LSU position under Kelly was coaching tight ends and run game coordinator.
The Alabama Crimson Tide staff will prepare to be surprised by LSU in Tuscaloosa. The transition could make the Bengal Tigers a tougher team to beat. That does not mean the Bengal Tigers will be good enough to beat Kalen DeBoer's team.