NN.FROM THE FIELD TO THE SIDELINES? Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu just dropped a bombshell — he wants to be LSU’s next head coach after Brian Kelly’s shocking exit.
When news broke that LSU had fired Brian Kelly, the usual swirl of speculation began — high-profile coaches, coordinators from powerhouse programs, and analysts tossing around the same safe names. But then came the curveball that no one saw coming — yet somehow, everyone instantly felt it in their bones.
Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu wants the LSU head coaching job.
Yes, that Tyrann Mathieu — the heart of the Tigers’ 2011 championship run, the fearless defensive star who turned chaos into art on a football field, and the man whose story of redemption became legend both in Baton Rouge and the NFL. At 33, just months after hanging up his cleats, Mathieu has thrown his name into the ring for the head coaching position at his alma mater.
And just like that, a spark of something wild and hopeful has lit up Death Valley again.
A Voice from the Heart of LSU
The first whispers came from a familiar voice in Louisiana football circles. Speaking on a local Baton Rouge sports broadcast, a host recalled a recent message:
“You’re gonna have to surround this guy with a great staff — a defensive coordinator that’s got experience, an offensive coordinator that’s got a ton of experience, and other head coaches on the staff that can help him learn the ropes.
But Tyrann ‘Honey Badger’ Mathieu hit me up and let me know that he wants the head coaching job at LSU.”
The comment hit the airwaves like a thunderclap. For a program reeling from inconsistency and criticism, the idea of one of its most beloved sons stepping forward wasn’t just intriguing — it was emotional.
The Heart of a Tiger Never Stops Beating
To understand why this moment feels so electric, you have to go back. To 2011. To the chaos, swagger, and raw energy that made LSU football feel alive. That was the year Tyrann Mathieu became a household name.
Nicknamed “Honey Badger” for his fearlessness and relentless style of play, Mathieu embodied the soul of LSU — scrappy, passionate, and utterly fearless. He wasn’t the biggest or the strongest, but he played like every snap was a matter of honor.
Fans still remember the punt returns that changed games, the strip fumbles that defied logic, and the fiery intensity that made him the beating heart of that defense. LSU football wasn’t just winning — it was burning with life.
That’s the energy people say the program has lost. And that’s the energy Mathieu could bring back.
From the NFL to the Next Chapter
After his LSU days were cut short by suspension, Mathieu rebuilt himself in the NFL — not just as a player, but as a man. He earned respect across the league for his leadership, grit, and emotional intelligence.
From Arizona to Houston to Kansas City and finally New Orleans, Mathieu didn’t just play — he transformed every locker room he entered. Coaches leaned on him for leadership. Younger players looked to him for guidance.
When he announced his retirement in July, fans assumed the Honey Badger would transition into broadcasting, community work, or player development. Few imagined he’d eye a head coaching job so soon — and fewer still thought that job would be LSU’s.
But then again, when has Tyrann Mathieu ever done the expected?
The Case for the Honey Badger
Critics will say it’s impossible — that coaching requires years of experience, game-planning, recruiting expertise, and tactical know-how that even seasoned assistants take a lifetime to master. They’re not wrong. But what they might underestimate is leadership.
Mathieu isn’t a technician; he’s a tone-setter. His presence in a room commands attention. His story — of mistakes, redemption, and ultimate triumph — resonates with young athletes in a way few coaches ever could.
He wouldn’t walk in pretending to know everything. He’d walk in reminding everyone why they play.
Surround him with veteran coordinators, seasoned recruiters, and strong developmental minds, and LSU could have something truly special — a blend of modern football IQ and raw, emotional connection.
And let’s not forget: LSU isn’t just hiring a coach. They’re rebuilding an identity. Who better to lead that mission than the player who once defined it?
What LSU Fans Are Saying
The reaction online has been a mix of disbelief, nostalgia, and pure excitement.
One fan tweeted:
“If Honey Badger leads us, I don’t care what the record is — I’ll be proud again.”
Another wrote:
“This isn’t about X’s and O’s. It’s about culture. It’s about getting back to who we are. Give him a shot.”
Of course, not everyone agrees. Some point out that LSU, with its massive budget and national expectations, can’t afford to gamble on a first-time coach. “This isn’t a movie,” one critic posted. “You don’t hand a billion-dollar program to someone with no headset experience.”
But others argue that LSU has already tried the “safe hires.” They want something real — something that feels Louisiana.
And Tyrann Mathieu, born and raised in New Orleans, molded in Baton Rouge, is as Louisiana as it gets.
A Program Searching for Its Soul
Brian Kelly’s firing didn’t just leave an opening in the coaching ranks; it left a hole in the program’s spirit. The Kelly era was built on structure, systems, and analytics — but what LSU fans crave goes deeper.
They want fire. They want pride. They want family.
Mathieu represents all three.
His message, whether he gets the job or not, has already reignited a conversation around what LSU football should be — not just a factory for NFL talent, but a symbol of Southern resilience, unity, and heart.
If football is about connection — to fans, to players, to legacy — then the Honey Badger’s bid for the head coaching job is more than symbolic. It’s a rallying cry.
The Road Ahead
Will LSU’s administration seriously consider Tyrann Mathieu? That remains uncertain. Athletic Director Scott Woodward is known for bold moves — the kind that make headlines. Hiring a beloved former player with zero coaching experience would certainly qualify.
But even if Mathieu doesn’t get the position, his interest sends a powerful message to Tiger Nation: that LSU football still means something worth fighting for.
And maybe, just maybe, it plants a seed. Maybe one day, whether it’s as head coach, assistant, or ambassador, Tyrann Mathieu will find his way back to the sideline at Tiger Stadium — leading the next generation of players who grew up idolizing him.
The Final Word
When asked years ago what LSU meant to him, Tyrann Mathieu smiled and said:
“Everything I became started here. It’s not just where I played — it’s who I am.”
Now, with the head coaching seat open and a fan base desperate for revival, maybe it’s time that story comes full circle.
Whether he gets the job or not, one truth stands unshaken: the heart of a Tiger never stops beating.
And in Baton Rouge tonight, you can almost hear it — thumping loud, proud, and full of possibility.
