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LSU leadership kept Brian Kelly from attending son’s senior night, Kenzel Kelly claims

Published: Nov 23, 2025 · 10:39 AM EST

Kenzel Kelly had an interesting senior night. As an LSU linebacker, Kelly participated in the Tigers’ celebration of the seniors’ final home game, but there was a notable absence when his name was called.

Brian Kelly, Kenzel’s father, was not in attendance for Saturday night’s ceremony ahead of the WKU game. Fans may have assumed the former LSU head coach opted to avoid an awkward situation at Tiger Stadium. Kenzel, however, claims that LSU “leadership” kept Brian Kelly from attending the senior night ceremony.

BK wanted to be there for me…Unfortunately the new leadership at LSU did not see it the same way… #freeBK https://t.co/jGHp4WP2Op
— Kenzel Kelly (@Kenzel_kelly) November 23, 2025

Brian Kelly, of course, isn’t just a former LSU coach who was fired. He filed a lawsuit on Nov.10 against the school regarding the payment of his buyout after being publicly dismissed as head coach on Oct. 26.

Before Sunday’s social media post, Kenzel Kelly had made his feelings on the situation known. Kenzel got the attention of the SEC Network cameras during the senior ceremony.

“Long live, BK! Free my boy! Free my boy, BK!” Kenzel said to the cameras, wearing an undershirt with “BK” written on it.

“Long live BK!”

Brian Kelly’s son, Kenzel, with some interesting words to the camera about his dad on Senior night…#LSU pic.twitter.com/XieeZ5TXPr
— 104.5 ESPN (@1045espn) November 23, 2025

Kenzel Kelly and the Tigers turn their attention to facing Oklahoma in Week 14. As for Brian Kelly, the most recent development in the suit came Friday with LSU’s new president Wade Rousse formally firing the coach. The school contended that former athletic director Scott Woodward did not have the authority to fire Kelly in October without approval from the Board of Supervisors.

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.