When LSU delivered the stunning news of Brian Kelly’s firing, incurring a reported buyout of over $53 million—the second-largest in college football history—the move sent a tremor through the industry. It signaled that no coach, regardless of contract size, is truly safe in the cutthroat SEC.
This historic financial decision immediately elevated a familiar, beloved figure in Baton Rouge: Associate Head Coach Frank Wilson. The highly regarded recruiter and New Orleans native, who has twice before held head coaching roles at the Group of Five and FCS levels, stepped into the interim role, instantly becoming the caretaker of one of the sport’s most storied programs.
Wilson’s sudden promotion sets up one of the most compelling storylines of the late college football season. He now faces a near-impossible debut schedule, leading the Tigers into a rivalry showdown against Alabama. With the program now riding on the shoulders of the ultimate interim coach, the coming weeks will determine if Wilson’s decades of SEC experience and recruiting prowess can translate into wins.
Here’s what to know about LSU’s new leader.
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### Who is Frank Wilson?
Frank Wilson is LSU’s interim head coach after the team fired Brian Kelly in late October. A New Orleans native and a figure woven into the fabric of LSU football, Wilson was one of Kelly’s first hires in December 2021, serving as Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach.
This marks his second major tenure with the Tigers, as he previously served under Les Miles from 2010 to 2015 as Running Backs Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, holding the title of Associate Head Coach for his final four seasons. In total, Wilson is now in his tenth season with the Tigers.
Wilson is widely considered one of the best recruiters in college football, having been named National Recruiter of the Year by Rivals.com (2011), Top Recruiter in College Football by NFL.com (2014), and SEC Recruiter of the Year by Scout.com (2015). During his time in Baton Rouge, he was the lead recruiter for future NFL stars such as Leonard Fournette, Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, and Tyrann Mathieu. He has coached seven running backs who were selected in the NFL Draft.
The interim role is Wilson’s third college head coaching assignment, having previously led UTSA (2016–2019), guiding the program to its first-ever bowl game in 2016, and McNeese State (2020–2021). Now, with the program facing a massive transition, the burden falls on Wilson to leverage his deep Louisiana roots, recruiting connections, and coaching experience to stabilize a team whose fate—and the next head coach search—depends on the remainder of the season.
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### Coaching Career Timeline
#### 2010–2015: LSU
Wilson’s first significant period at a major program cemented his status as a college football recruiting titan. Serving under Les Miles from 2010 to 2015 as Running Backs Coach and Recruiting Coordinator (later adding the title of Associate Head Coach), Wilson helped the Tigers achieve a remarkable 61-17 overall record, secure the 2011 SEC Championship, and reach the BCS National Championship Game.
His coaching tenure produced seven NFL Draft picks at running back. Crucially, he earned national recognition, being named National Recruiter of the Year by Rivals.com in 2011 and later the Top Recruiter in College Football by NFL.com in 2014, showcasing his ability to land elite Louisiana talent such as Leonard Fournette and Odell Beckham Jr.
Prior to this, he held assistant roles at Ole Miss (2005–2007), Southern Miss (2008), and Tennessee (2009).
#### 2016–2019: UTSA
Wilson took his first college head coaching job at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), a young FBS program. His debut campaign in 2016 was historic, as he led the Roadrunners to a 6-7 record and the school’s first-ever bowl game, sending them to the New Mexico Bowl. This matched the NCAA record for the fastest program to reach a bowl.
In his second season, UTSA continued to make history, achieving the program’s first-ever win over a Power Five school with a victory over Baylor. However, the program struggled for consistent momentum after that, finishing his four-year tenure with an overall record of 19-29.
Despite the win-loss record, Wilson successfully attracted the school’s first-ever consensus four-star recruit and dramatically elevated the program’s recruiting rankings.
#### 2020–2021: McNeese State
Wilson’s tenure at McNeese State proved to be one of his most challenging coaching stops. Hired in January 2020 to replace Sterlin Gilbert, Wilson’s time at the school was immediately defined by external factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the catastrophic impact of back-to-back hurricanes (Laura and Delta) that devastated university facilities.
He led the Cowboys through a shortened seven-game spring 2021 schedule, followed by an 11-game fall 2021 season. Wilson posted a combined record of 7-11 before resigning in December 2021 to return to LSU, a move that ended a 16-season streak of winning seasons for the Cowboys.
#### 2021–Present: LSU
Wilson returned to LSU as the Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach under Brian Kelly in 2022, instantly bolstering the program’s recruiting efforts with his deep Louisiana connections. He held this position until October 2025, when he was appointed the Interim Head Coach following Kelly’s firing.
This current role places him back in charge of a major Power Four program at a time of extreme volatility, tasking him with stabilizing the team and maintaining recruiting integrity amid a high-stakes coaching search.
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### Where Did Frank Wilson Play College Football?
Wilson played college football at Nicholls State University. He was named honorable mention all-conference as a running back during his sophomore year, while also appearing on preseason all-conference teams as a defensive back (junior year) and running back (senior year).
Before that, Wilson played his freshman year at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He was a NAIA Division II honorable mention All-American.
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### Where is Frank Wilson From?
Wilson is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He was born and raised there, attending St. Augustine High School, which significantly contributes to his reputation as one of the best recruiters in college football due to his deep ties to the local high school and coaching communities.
His career has consistently brought him back to his home state of Louisiana—from his playing days at Nicholls State and his previous long tenure as a top recruiter at LSU to his current role as the Interim Head Coach.
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### LSU’s Remaining 2025 Schedule
With the Tigers’ national championship aspirations dashed, there are still marquee games left on the schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|——————-|———————|——————|
| Sat, Nov 8 | at No. 4 Alabama | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat, Nov 15 | vs. Arkansas | 12:45 p.m. |
| Sat, Nov 22 | vs. Western Kentucky | TBD |
| Sat, Nov 29 | at No. 12 Oklahoma | TBD |
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As LSU navigates this critical juncture with Frank Wilson at the helm, all eyes will be on whether his extensive SEC experience and recruiting savvy can help stabilize the Tigers and set the foundation for the program’s future success.
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/who-frank-wilson-lsu-interim-head-coach/b93439ec1265f9bb7cb49896