How Brian Kelly’s first two years compare to previous LSU head coaches

With Year 2 in the rearview mirror, we’re starting to get a better idea of what Brian Kelly’s LSU program looks like.

It’s hard to quantify 2023 as a success or failure. LSU entered the year ranked No. 5 but its playoff hopes were dashed before October. At the same time, Jayden Daniels won the Heisman and led LSU to back-to-back 10-win seasons.

Expectations will be high again next year, but 20 wins in Kelly’s first two years gives cause for optimism, especially given where LSU was at when he took over.

Let’s take a look at how Kelly’s first two years compared to previous LSU coaches’ first two years in Baton Rouge.

Albert P. Simmons

Simmons was the first coach at LSU to make it to a second year.

He went 2-1 in year one and followed it up with a 3-0 campaign in year two, recording wins over Tulane and Alabama.

Allen W. Jeardeau

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

After Simmons, Jeardeau took over.

He went 6-0 his first year, but LSU played just two games in 1897 and Jeardeau went 1-1.

W.S. Borland

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Borland helped lead LSU into the 20th century, going 5-1 in year one and following it up with a 6-1 record in year two.

Dan A. Killian

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Killian took over in 1904 and went 3-4.

But in year two, Killian went 3-0 with wins over Louisiana Tech, Tulane, and Mississippi State.

Edgar R. Wingard

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Wingard had one of the best years two’s you could ask for. Following up a 7-3 inaugural campaign, Wingard went 10-0 in 1908.

This was the first 10-win season in program history and LSU’s first claimed national title.

Pat Dwyer

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Despite a solid Year 1, Dwyer didn’t find the same success in Year 2. Dwyer went 4-3 in 1912 and 1-3 in conference play.

E.T. MacDonnell

Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

MacDonnell went 4-4-1 his…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/brian-kelly-first-two-years-183115809.html

Author : LSU Tigers Wire

Publish date : 2024-01-22 18:31:15

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Check Also

Five 2025 flip targets to monitor for Michigan State football

Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith watches a play against Michigan during the first half …