When you are one leaderbeing liked is not the goal, according to LSU head football coach Brian Kelly. “If you want to be popular, sell ice cream,” he says.

For Kelly, leadership isn't about winning over everyone — it's about driving excellence within his program, both on the field and behind the scenes. As an experienced coach with over 30 years in the game, he knows that leadership is more than just X's and O's; it's about being high performing CEO, who shapes every aspect of his organization, ensuring success and growth at every level.

While his fingerprints are all over the team's playbook, his real focus lies in sports science, player development and relationship building. “My best path to success is helping players become the best version of themselves,” Kelly says. Like any effective CEO, he recognizes that empowering those around him to excel is essential. He admits that as he's matured in his career, he's spent less time micromanaging and more time leading his staff and players toward collective growth.

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Coach Kelly has faced a lot of scrutiny in the past, whether it was leaving Cincinnati or Notre Dame, his intense behavior on the field earlier in his career, or having a Viral (and funny) moment in his first week at LSU. Instead of being swayed by outside criticism, he emphasized focusing on what he can control — building a football program that shines inside and out. “You'll never get a chance to explain yourself, so don't worry about it,” he advises. Kelly believes that true leadership lies in staying focused on long-term goals and ensuring those under his care have the tools they need to succeed, whether on the field or in their personal growth.

Switching between high-profile programs like Notre Dame and LSU involved tough decisions. As a former player for Coach Kelly, I was upset with the way he left Notre Dame. After all, he had quite a bit of success there and I thought we were close to winning a national championship with him. But coach Kelly pointed out that he left Our Lady not because of dissatisfaction, but because of a sense of time and the need for a new challenge. He was there for 10+ years and left as the winningest coach at Notre Dame. Leaders in any field, according to Kelly, must weigh not only their own desires but also the broader organizational landscape before making big moves.

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The lesson is clear: leadership is not about being popular. It's about staying curious enough to always look for better ways to lead and be successful for the organization. This has resulted in consistent success for Brian Kelly, including seven consecutive 10-win seasons.