One Minnesota Vikings player isn’t hiding his feelings regarding LSU’s decision to fire Brian Kelly on October 26, midway through his fourth season at LSU, after the Tigers suffered their third loss of 2025.
The final nail in Kelly’s time with the Bayou Bengals came after Texas A&M dominated 49-24, scoring 35 straight points to win at Tiger Stadium for the first time since 1994.
LSU’s season, which began with hopes of a national championship and a road victory over Clemson, the Tigers’ first season-opening win under Kelly, quickly fell off track with back-to-back losses to Vanderbilt and Texas A&M.
After the news emerged that Kelly was out, Vikings cornerback Dwight McGlothern Jr. only needed one emoji to let everyone know where he stood on the decision. McGlothern Jr. went on X and quoted-tweeted the news with a smiley face emoji.
The 23-year-old undrafted free agent signed with Minnesota in 2024 and spent two years at LSU in 2020 and 2021. However, McGlothern Jr. left the university the year that Kelly was hired to take over the program.
Only McGlothern Jr. knows the details behind why he’s happy to see Kelly fired since he didn’t play for the coach who was hired on November 30, 2021, and made his LSU coaching debut in 2022. After two years at LSU, the Vikings’ defensive back transferred to Arkansas, where he played from 2022 to 2023.
LSU Will Owe Brian Kelly A Lot of Money
Putting aside the reaction from the Minnesota Vikings’ standout, LSU didn’t take long to make its decision on Kelly known publicly. Athletic director Scott Woodward informed the team of Kelly’s departure during a meeting and announced the decision publicly just minutes later.
The school said it is still negotiating the terms of his exit, with Kelly set to receive just over $54 million in buyout money, per ESPN.
“We had high hopes that he would lead us to multiple SEC and national championships during his time in Baton Rouge,” Woodward said in the announcement. “Ultimately, the success at the level that LSU demands simply did not materialize, and I made the decision to make a change after last night’s game.
“I am grateful for the ongoing consultations and support of the LSU board of supervisors and Interim President Matt Lee in this decision. We wish Coach Kelly and his family the very best in their future endeavors. We will continue to negotiate his separation and will work toward a path that is better for both parties.”
ESPN also reported on October 26, citing sources, that Kelly left the office early Sunday afternoon and did not return. With the Tigers on a bye week, some staff attendance was optional.
LSU Will Look to Rediscover Past Glory
Kelly made a headline-grabbing move from Notre Dame to LSU in November 2021, signing a 10-year contract worth $95 million, with 90% guaranteed.
He quickly delivered, capturing an SEC West Division title in his first season and coaching Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels in 2023. However, an 8-4 regular season in 2024, highlighted by three consecutive double-digit losses to Texas A&M, Alabama, and Florida, left some fans and boosters uneasy as Year 4 approached.
LSU now faces the task of finding a head coach who can bring the program back to the heights it reached in the 2019 season and won the National Championship in 2020, a team that included Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
“We will immediately begin a national search for a new head football coach,” Woodward added. “And I am confident in our ability to bring to Baton Rouge an outstanding leader, teacher and coach, who fits our culture and community and who embraces the excellence that we demand.”
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