NCAAF News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Newsletter

Dec 27, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Louisiana State Tigers interim head coach Frank Wilson reacts during the second half against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Frank Wilson made shocking threat to administration to coach LSU bowl game

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics
By Ajayi Olamilekan | Last updated Dec 28, 2025 6:06 PM ET

Frank Wilson pulled no punches when describing his determination to coach LSU’s final game of the 2025 season. The interim head coach revealed Saturday night that he told an administrator he would torch the football facility if denied the chance to finish what he started.

Wilson made the admission during his postgame press conference following LSU’s 24-17 loss to Houston in the Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium.

The New Orleans native had taken over the Tigers program in late October after Brian Kelly was fired. His stint as interim coach produced a 2-2 record across four games. Lane Kiffin arrived as the permanent replacement on November 30, but Wilson insisted on seeing the season through.

Wilson has already accepted a position at Ole Miss, where he will serve as running backs coach and associate head coach under Pete Golding.

Wilson shared the remark with WAFB-TV’s Jacques Doucet in an exchange that quickly spread across social media.

Wilson’s commitment to finishing season went beyond professional duty

Dec 27, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Louisiana State Tigers interim head coach Frank Wilson walks on the field during warm up prior to the game against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

The veteran coach’s insistence on coaching the Texas Bowl was rooted in his relationship with the players. Wilson joined Brian Kelly’s staff in 2022 as running backs coach and associate head coach.

When Kelly was dismissed following a loss to Texas A&M, Wilson stepped into the interim role. He had previously spent five years at LSU from 2010 to 2015 under Les Miles.

“Yeah, I’m gonna finish with my boys. I’ll burn this building down if you don’t let me finish. I’m going to finish with my boys. Because the love is unconditional,” Wilson said in the postgame interview shared on X by Jacques Doucet.

“I’ll burn this building down if you don’t let me finish. I’m gonna finish with my boys. Because the love is unconditional.”

Frank Wilson on what he told an #LSU administrator about coaching @LSUfootball in the bowl game. #LSU pic.twitter.com/vqiAp31PWN

— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) December 28, 2025

The declaration highlighted the emotional investment Wilson had in the 2025 roster. Several key players opted out of the bowl game or entered the transfer portal, creating roster challenges heading into the matchup with Houston.

Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who threw for 1,927 yards and 12 touchdowns during the regular season, did not play due to injury. Michael Van Buren Jr. started at quarterback for the Tigers.

Wilson and Kiffin attempted to work out an arrangement for Wilson to remain at LSU. Those discussions did not produce a resolution. Kiffin brought his own running backs coach from Ole Miss, leaving no clear role for Wilson on the new staff.

Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding, who worked with Wilson during Wilson’s time as head coach at UTSA, extended the offer that brought Wilson to Oxford.

The Texas Bowl marked the end of Wilson’s second stint with the Tigers. Kiffin attended the game but did not coach, observing from the stands as Wilson guided the team through its final contest of 2025.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: