GAINESVILLE, Fla. — LSU’s head coach, Brian Kelly, displayed visible frustration during Saturday’s game against Florida, which marked his team’s third straight loss, concluding with a score of 27-16. The defeat at the hands of an unranked opponent has led to the Tigers (6-4, 3-3 in the Southeastern Conference) likely falling out of the national polls. This recent downturn has left fans questioning Kelly’s capabilities, potentially straining his relationship with the LSU faithful.

Following the match, Kelly emphasized the need for resilience in the face of adversity. “This is a simple exercise of whether you want to fight or not,” he stated. He urged both coaches and players to accept accountability for the current struggles, suggesting a united front was essential for overcoming their difficulties.

Tensions were palpable on the sidelines, particularly during the first half when Kelly confronted wide receiver Chris Hilton. He was seen animatedly addressing Hilton after a play, with some observers interpreting his remarks as calling the player “uncoachable.” As the game progressed, another incident arose late in the third quarter when receiver Kyren Lacy was seen vocally expressing his frustration towards Kelly after a disappointing offensive series. The exchange caught on camera showed Lacy passionately confronting the coach, prompting the broadcast to shift away from the moment.

This loss against Florida marks LSU’s first since 2018, despite the team running an impressive 92 plays and holding onto the ball for over 41 minutes during the game. “We’re going to put players on the field who will fight and strive to rectify our struggles with consistent execution,” Kelly remarked after the defeat, indicating his awareness of the team’s need for improvement.

The outcome of this match has effectively ended Kelly’s run of ten-win seasons at seven. Previously, he achieved double-digit victories in all four of his final seasons at Notre Dame and had continued this success with back-to-back ten-win seasons at LSU. However, after suffering consecutive losses to Texas A&M, Alabama, and Florida, reaching a ninth win this season has become unattainable.