JOURNAL SPORTS
Sunday’s firing of LSU football coach Brian Kelly is unquestionably the week’s hot topic in sports, and beyond.
Several local high school football coaches weighed in with their perspectives for this week’s Shreveport-Bossier Journal Coaches Roundtable, and considered whether the move will impact LSU’s 2026 recruiting class.
GARY COOPER, Booker T. Washington – “It’s the business we choose to be in. Coaches are judged by the performances of the players. Players don’t perform, it’s the coach’s fault.
“At the SEC level, the head coach is mostly a manager. Coordinators and position coaches are the ones directly involved in the game preparations.
“I don’t think this hurts their recruiting at all. LSU has all the financial resources and facilities to still bring in the top talent in the country.”
RODNEY GUIN, Calvary — “Nothing surprises me in college football any more. I don’t think it will affect recruiting. Now, recruiting is based on NIL more than who is the coach, I would think.”
COY BROTHERTON, Parkway — “I had a pretty good feeling it was coming. I think Brian Kelly is a great coach and person, and I hate it didn’t work for him. I hope the next coach is accepted and given a fair opportunity to succeed.
“I don’t think it hurts any recruiting. Players seem to be committing based off money, playing time, or love for the state and school. I don’t think that changes with a new coach.”
JOHN SELLA, Loyola – “It seemed like a lot of people saw it coming. When you’re beating Alabama and winning games people are willing to overlook a lot of things, but if you’re a jerk to everyone and losing it’s not a good look.
“It was clear he lost the locker room and maybe even some on the staff. Just abusing players and coaches on the sideline is crazy to me. It was almost like everyone was operating scared to mess up so they don’t get berated by the head coach. He’s won a lot more games than I have and at a very high level so I can’t say too much, but we are definitely very different people with very different personalities.
“As far as recruiting goes, I don’t think it changes too much. Everyone is just looking to buy the right players and if you have the money, you’ll find some.”
JUSTIN SCOGIN, Airline – “I think the whole thing is crazy. Although Brian Kelly hasn’t had the success and maybe the fit wasn’t great, I think we’re at a dangerous point in sports and society where we’re paying $40-50 million because we’re tired of someone.
“We live in a very ‘what have you done for me lately’ society that will eventually trickle down. For all the struggles offensively they have had, (fired offensive coordinator) Joe Sloan has always been great to me so the whole thing is just tough to get behind.”
AUSTIN BROWN, Northwood – “I thought on the surface he was a great pick as a HC. But then he came in and started with the fake accent and trying to dance (on a recruiting TicToc). Plus, his political past just doesn’t fly down here in the South. He was a Yankee.
“I hope it hurts the 2026 class. I also think they should hire (North DeSoto coach) Dennis Dunn!”
MATTHEW SEWELL, Haughton – “I’ve always thought Kelly has been a great coach. He’s won everywhere he’s ever been. I thought he’d do great at LSU, and he hasn’t done bad. Heck, he only lost two home night games and he went 34-14, coached in a conference championship game and coached a Heisman Trophy winner.
“At LSU, the expectations are so high and every single move and loss is magnified. It definitely seems that things were going in the wrong direction, but four weeks ago a lot of LSU fans thought they were going to win the national championship, and now they don’t have a head coach.
“I tell you what: $53 million to not work? I wish I was Brian Kelly!”