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Paul Finebaum Names SEC Coach That 'Needs' To Make College Football Playoff

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Jun 28, 2025 11:28 AM ET

There are plenty of college football coaches facing pressure to perform this fall, but ESPN's Paul Finebaum called out one in particular.

Finebaum, the longtime voice of the SEC, hosts a four-hour daily program every Monday through Friday. Even when college football is on vacation, he's offering his unfiltered thoughts on the sport. Once the season begins in the fall, he makes regular appearances on "First Take" and "Get Up" among other ESPN shows.

During a previous episode of "The Paul Finebaum Show," the outspoken radio host shared his thoughts about LSU coach Brian Kelly.

Kelly has been coaching LSU since 2022. Although the program has won 29 games over the past three years, the last appearance in the College Football Playoff came under Ed Orgeron.

With that said, Finebaum believes it's time for Kelly to take LSU to the College Football Playoff.

"Brian Kelly, he does need to get to the playoffs," Finebaum said. "This is his best team, he has admitted that. But he's also considered an elite coach. So, short of a bad season, I don't think anyone is going to worry about his job security."

Finebaum isn't the only analyst applying some pressure on Kelly.

"Kelly's yearning to win big at LSU is indisputable. The pressure to guide LSU to its first playoff appearance since 2019 this season increases with every additional recruiting victory. As it stands, 29 wins over three seasons fails to meet program expectations when the three coaches who preceded Kelly all won national championships in Baton Rouge," Brad Crawford of CBS Sports wrote . "Right now, LSU's trophy case has only added Citrus, ReliaQuest and Texas Bowl trophies to its expansive case. This is a group in 2025, anchored by potential 2026 NFL Draft No. 1 overall pick Garrett Nussmeier, that is capable of bringing Kelly his first national title and punctuating his career with a new defining moment."

LSU will begin its 2025 season against Clemson. Just two weeks later, a showdown with Florida awaits.

If Kelly wants to silence his critics, he'll have to get off to a hot start this upcoming season.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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