Brian Kelly Playoff record: LSU coach's top game, stats, achievements and more explored

Brian Kelly, one of the most respected coaches in college football, has been building programs since 1991 and remains active in 2024.

Despite the LSU Tigers not reaching the 2024 college football playoffs, it's hard to deny Kelly's accomplishments as one of the most successful CFB coaches. The Tigers ended the season with a winning record and have a Texas Bowl Game against the Baylor Bears to look forward to.

Let's take a closer look at Kelly's playoff record as we count down to the second round of the inaugural expanded college football playoffs.

Brian Kelly's Playoff record

Top game

Grand Valley State 10, North Dakota 3

Brian Kelly ended his tenure with Grand Valley State with two NCAA Division II titles. His second was more significant, considering it was his last game with GVSU.

The game was a defensive masterclass as Brian Kelly's side held a rampant North Dakota team to zero touchdowns. It was his side's third straight playoff game in which they limited the opposition to three-point plays.

At the end of the game, Kelly credited North Dakota while praising his players. He thanked the fans for supporting his side and celebrated with his team.

Kelly later accepted the head coaching job at Central Michigan, where he compiled a 19–16 record. He then continued his coaching legacy at Cincinnati, Notre Dame, and now at LSU.

Playoff Stats

Brian Kelly has an 11–6 record in the playoffs. He went 11-4 in the NCAA D-II playoffs and is 0–2 in the College Football Playoffs.

Achievements

Kelly has been coaching since the 1990s and he's been successful everywhere he's been. He started at Grand Valley State and is now a staple of the SEC with the LSU Tigers.

Kelly has won two NCAA Division II championships, three MIFC titles, three GLIAC titles, the 2006 MAC title, two Big East titles and the 2022 SEC Western Division title. In terms of personal honors, he has two AFCA Division II Coach of the Year awards, two AP College Football Coach of the Year Awards, the 2012 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award and three Big East Coach of the Year Awards, among numerous other accolades.