REPORT: LSU Tigers Head Coach Brian Kelly Makes Final Statement About Jim Harbaugh Replacement Rumors in 2024

LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly has been lined to the Michigan Wolverines job since rumors that head coach Jim Harbaugh would be leaving for the NFL began.

In an article from LSU Tigers Wire on USA Today, Kelly said the he is staying put at LSU, despite rumors that said he was not a good fit for the culture.

“I’ve been in this for 30-something years. What’s that like 200 and something dog years? It’s a long time, I feel that way sometimes,” he said. “You know, this is where I wanted to be. I wanted to be at LSU and I love it here and I’m not going anywhere. This is my stop. This is the last stop on the Coach Kelly caravan. And you always go well, he’s just saying that to get the right sound bite, but I don’t have to say anything that puts me in a corner.

“But this is it. This is where I want to be. This is where I want to coach. I love it here. I love the people. I love the state and I love the fact that I’m working with an administration, an athletic director in Scott Woodward and a president in President Tate that are giving us the the support necessary to graduate champions. And so this is where I want to be.”

LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly has made coaching staff changes this offseason, cementing the fact that he will not be going to the Michigan Wolverines

LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly has promoted quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan and wide receiver coach Cortez Hankton to be co-offensive coordinators, according to Sports Illustrated.

This move, along with the hiring of a new defensive coordinator in Blake Baker, cement the fact that Kelly will be staying at LSU.

Kelly led the Tigers to a 10-win season this year with a Heisman-winning quarterback at the helm in Jayden Daniels. The only thing holding the Tigers back from competing for a national title was their defense.

LSU ranked 108th in total defense as they allowed 416.6 yards per game. Their 28 points per game allowed were the reason for their three losses. They allowed 45 points to the Florida State Seminoles, 55 points to the Ole Miss Rebels and 42 points to the Alabama Crimson Tide.

With Alabama head coach Nick Saban gone, Kelly and the Tigers have a chance to make a run for the SEC title, should their defense take a major step up in 2024.

The Michigan Wolverines already have a head coach in waiting, so they do not need LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly

After Harbaugh’s departure, many Michigan fans do not want to make the same mistake they made in the past. After Lloyd Carr’s departure in 2007, Michigan hired Rich Rodriguez. They have only now recovered from the mistake of hiring someone unfamiliar with Michigan football.

Rodriguez, who was followed by Brady Hoke, won just 15 games at Michigan from 2008-2010. Harbaugh won 15 games this season as the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines.

Michigan fans want to see offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore get the job, and it appears that the job is his to lose.

Michigan should hire Sherrone Moore has its next Head Coach. Period. The man has poured all his blood, sweat and tears into the program. Literally. @Coach_SMoore pic.twitter.com/wcJThqn6Qc

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 25, 2024

As a fan looking from the outside, it seems like Sherrone Moore should be the next coach. It sounds like the players love and respect him a lot and we have already watched him coach and win some of the biggest games of Michigan’s season in 2023.

— JD 〽️ (@MGoJDBlue) January 25, 2024

Sherrone Moore time. pic.twitter.com/GTpGsqyG64

— Swanky Wolverine (@swankywolverine) January 25, 2024

Moore had success as the interim head coach for the Michigan Wolverines as he went 4-0 this season. He coached one game at the beginning of the season when Harbaugh was serving a self-imposed suspension for recruiting violations during the COVID year.

Moore won the last three games of the regular season as Harbaugh was suspended by the Big Ten for an alleged sign-stealing operation. That included a win against Michigan’s biggest rival, the Ohio State Buckeyes.

One reason Kelly might want to stay away from the Michigan Wolverines is because of the potential sanctions that could hit them in the near future. Harbaugh asked for immunity in his contract and fired several coaches involved with the alleged operation. These actions might indicate to Kelly that something is coming, which would make his job much harder than it needs to be.

Get More NFL and College Football Content

For more news and trends in the college football world, click here or follow me on Twitter @KusleikaAndrew.