NEED TO KNOW

  • Brian Kelly’s son Kenzel seemingly shared a message of support for his dad during a football game
  • The LSU linebacker said, “Long live, BK!”
  • Brian was fired from the university after nearly four seasons as head coach on Oct. 26

Brian Kelly’s son, Kenzel, spoke out at Louisiana State University’s Senior Night.

On Saturday, Nov. 22, the LSU linebacker seemingly shared a message of support for his dad during the game against Western Kentucky. The on-camera moment occurred about one month after Brian was fired from the university following nearly four seasons as head coach.

In a video shared on X, Kenzel was seen jogging out onto the football field while holding his commemorative football. Underneath his jersey, he wore a white T-shirt with the letters “BK” in black ink. 

(L-R) Kenzel Kelly and Landon Jackson during an NCAA college football game on Oct. 19, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark.

AP Photo/Michael Woods

“Go Tigers!” Kenzel said to the camera while shaking his football. 

“Long live, BK,” the football player added, seemingly in reference to his ousted dad. He then pulled on the T-shirt underneath his scrunched-up jersey, while repeating, “Free my boy, BK.”

PEOPLE reached out to Louisiana State University for comment on Sunday, Nov. 23, but did not immediately hear back. 

Kenzel shared a photo of himself and his father on a football field on his Instagram Stories before the game. “Last time in Death Valley,” he captioned the post. “#FreeBK.”

Brian, 64, was fired from LSU on Oct. 26 and replaced by interim head coach Frank Wilson. The university announced his immediate firing in a statement on its website.

“When Coach Kelly arrived at LSU four years ago, we had high hopes that he would lead us to multiple SEC and national championships during his time in Baton Rouge. Ultimately, the success at the level that LSU demands simply did not materialize, and I made the decision to make a change after last night’s game,” Director of Athletics Scott Woodward wrote in a statement.

“I am grateful for the ongoing consultations and support of the LSU Board of Supervisors and Interim President Matt Lee in this decision. We wish Coach Kelly and his family the very best in their future endeavors. We will continue to negotiate his separation and will work toward a path that is better for both parties,” the statement continued. 

Brian Kelly at Tiger Stadium on Oct. 25, 2025 in Baton Rouge, La.

Tyler Kaufman/Getty

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Per LSU, the football team suffered a home loss to Texas A&M in the referenced game.

Local newspaper The Advocate reported that Brian filed a lawsuit against the LSU Board of Supervisors in regards to his buyout on Nov. 10.

The former coach’s attorneys, per the outlet, alleged that LSU is trying to fire him for cause to avoid paying his $54 million buyout.