Does Brian Kelly have a national championship? A look at LSU HC's achievements throughout his career

LSU coach Brian Kelly, born in Everett, Massachusetts, has established himself as one of the top college football coaches in the country. Kelly has been leading the Tigers since 2022. His extensive experience and proven track record make him one of the most respected figures in college football today. Let’s examine his achievements and determine whether Kelly has won a national championship.

Does Brian Kelly have a national championship?

The 62-year-old is a seasoned veteran in college football and boasts an impressive career spanning almost four decades. However, Brian Kelly is still chasing his first national championship, a goal that has eluded him even after years of hard work and success.

His coaching journey began at Assumption College, where he also played as a linebacker (1983-86). He quickly rose through the ranks, making contributing stops at Grand Valley State (1987-2003), Central Michigan (2004-06) and Cincinnati (2006-09) before taking the helm at Notre Dame in 2010 and serving the Fighting Irish for more than a decade.

At Grand Valley State, where he was head coach from 1991 to 2003, Kelly led the Lakers to two Division II national titles and five conference championships. His success there paved the way for stints at Central Michigan and Cincinnati, where he quickly made a name for himself by transforming struggling programs into contenders.

At Cincinnati, Kelly’s Bearcats secured back-to-back Big East titles and a BCS berth, earning him the Big East Coach of the Year honor for the 2007 season.

In 2009, Kelly took over at Notre Dame, becoming the winningest coach in the program’s history. Under his leadership, the Fighting Irish made a national championship appearance in 2012 and reached the College Football Playoff twice, in 2018 and 2020. Even after boasting a 113-40 record at Notre Dame, the coveted national title remained out of reach.

Now at LSU, Kelly is determined to capture that elusive national championship finally. With a career record of 304-104-2, he remains one of the most successful and respected coaches in college football.

As he leads the Tigers in the 2024 college football season, the question remains: Can Brian Kelly add a national title to his already impressive resume?