'Leadership Is Not a Popularity Contest': Lessons from LSU Football Head Coach Brian Kelly The three-time Home Depot Head Coach of the Year and one of the winningest coaches in college football history breaks down his playbook for team success.

By William Salvi Edited by Dan Bova

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

When you are a leader, being liked is not the goal, according to LSU Football Head Coach Brian Kelly. "If you want to be popular, sell ice cream," he says.

For Kelly, leading isn't about winning over everyone—it's about driving excellence within his program, both on the field and behind the scenes. As a seasoned coach with over 30 years in the game, he knows leadership is more than just X's and O's; it's about being a 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 true focus lies in sports science, player development, and building relationships. "My best path to success is helping players become the best version of themselves," says Kelly. Like any effective CEO, he recognizes that empowering those around him to excel is key. He admits that as he has matured in his career, he's spent less time micromanaging and more time guiding his staff and players toward collective growth.

Related: The Future of Football Comes Down to These Two Words, Says This CEO

Coach Kelly has faced quite a bit of scrutiny in the past, whether it was how he left Cincinnati or Notre Dame, his intense demeanor on the field earlier in his career, or having a viral (and funny) moment in his first week at LSU. Rather than being swayed by external criticism, he emphasized focusing on what he can control—building a football program that excels inside and out. "You'll never really get a chance to explain yourself, so don't worry about it," he advises. Kelly believes 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.

Transitioning between high-profile programs like Notre Dame and LSU involved tough decisions. As a former player for Coach Kelly, I was upset at 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 highlighted that he left Notre Dame not because of dissatisfaction but rather a sense of timing and a need for a new challenge. He was there for 10+ years and left as the winningest Head 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.

Related: How Personal Passions Fuel Business Success for the CEO of Vivid Seats

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

William Salvi

Entrepreneur Leadership Network® VIP

Producer & Host of The CEO Series | Salvi

William Salvi is executive producer at Salvi, an executive communications and content strategy agency. He hosts the Emmy Award-winning video series The CEO Series. Each episode profiles a business leader and their respective business and provides a humanizing look into the CEO's personal story.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

More from The CEO Series

5 Founder-CEOs Come Together to Discuss the Realities of Leadership, Entrepreneurship and What It Takes to Succeed

Inside a Sport Marketing Giant's Playbook for Connecting Big Brands With Rabid Fans

How Military Service Taught the CEO of Arc'teryx to Lead with Precision and Passion

'Leadership Is Not a Popularity Contest': Lessons from LSU Football Head Coach Brian Kelly

Leadership

7 Telltale Signs of a Weak Leader

Whether a bully or a people pleaser who can't tell hard truths, poor leadership takes many forms.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Elon Musk's DOGE Is Hiring People Eager to 'Work Long Hours' to Eliminate 'Waste, Fraud and Abuse' in the Government. Here's How to Apply.

The Department of Government Efficiency is hiring U.S. citizens to help cut spending and headcounts in the federal government.

Business News

'Everyone Can Profit From It': What Is DeepSeek? China's 'Cheap' to Make AI Chatbot Climbs to the Top of Apple, Google U.S. App Stores

DeepSeek researchers claim it was developed for less than $6 million, a contrast to the $100 million it takes U.S. tech startups to create AI.

Business News

'I Love Doing Product Reviews': Bill Gates Stepped Down from Microsoft in 2020, But Admits He Still Spends 15% of His Time Working at the Company

In a new interview with the Wall Street Journal, Gates also said he is still close with Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella.

Business News

Uber's CEO Says Drivers Have About 10 Years Left Before They Will Be Replaced

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says the jobs of human drivers are safe for the next decade, but after that, another type of driver will take over.