Can Brian Kelly become third second-year coach to win title at LSU?
LSU head baseball coach Jay Johnson followed women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey in leading the Tigers to a national title in his second year in charge. That means attention will soon turn toward football coach Brian Kelly, also entering his second year, to see if he can keep LSU's historic winning streak going.
With Monday's 18-4 rout of Florida, the Tigers became the first school in NCAA history to win a baseball and basketball national title in the same calendar year. In April, the women's basketball team defeated Iowa 102-85 to win its first championship.
Expectations for the football program are high to keep the good times rolling. Kelly got off to a better start than most anticipated by beating Alabama on his first try, winning the SEC West and representing the division in the SEC Championship Game.
The Tigers return quarterback Jayden Daniels, who looked much more comfortable running the offense during the spring and is poised for a big season. Offensive playmakers including Malik Nabers and Mason Taylor should continue to improve. The defense, led by potential pro prospects Harold Perkins Jr., Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo, has the talent to be one of the SEC's best.
ESPN's Football Power Index ranks the Tigers fourth heading into 2023, behind Ohio State and SEC powers Alabama and Georgia.
However, those teams are replacing their 2022 starting quarterbacks, giving the Tigers the most security at the sport's most important position.
Kelly is entering his 20th season as a head coach and is 176-66 (.727) overall. His teams have won at least 10 games in each of the past six seasons and LSU has the talent to keep that streak intact.
If it does, LSU football could keep the university's championship streak going.
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