As LSU gears up for its first game following the firing of head coach Brian Kelly, former player Booger McFarland expressed his unwavering support for his alma mater, while also critiquing Kelly’s performance. McFarland made it clear that he believes Kelly “didn’t work hard enough” during his time in Baton Rouge.
Kelly’s exit from LSU came after a disappointing home loss to Texas A&M, leading to the appointment of Frank Wilson as interim head coach. Wilson’s first challenge will be a matchup against Alabama, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Tigers. This high-stakes game will take place at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night.
Before officially predicting a win for LSU, McFarland noted the importance of the team holding its own through the latter part of the game. He didn’t shy away from expressing his relief at Kelly’s departure, stating “good riddance” and emphasizing his belief that Kelly was not a good fit for the program, highlighting cultural differences as a factor.
During his tenure, Kelly achieved a record of 34 wins and 13 losses, including 19 wins and 10 losses in SEC play. While he led the Tigers to the SEC title game during his inaugural year, the team struggled to replicate that success in following seasons. At the time of Kelly’s dismissal, LSU had a record of 5-3.
Looking ahead to the game against Alabama, McFarland praised Wilson’s ability to prepare the team for the demanding atmosphere. He expressed optimism that LSU could thrive on the field, emphasizing the need for the players to embrace the moment and play aggressively.
“I think the interim coach, Frank Wilson, is going to do a really good job of getting these guys ready to play,” McFarland stated. He further added that for LSU to succeed, the team must execute well in key areas, including running the football effectively and maintaining focus on the game plan. With the team being labeled as 10-point underdogs going into the game, McFarland remains hopeful they can make a strong showing as they seek to turn the page on a challenging season.