Brian Kelly is a former NFL player turned college football analyst and radio host. He has long been one of the most successful boosters in recent memory, having helped fund major renovations to Tiger Stadium with his own money as well as being responsible for bringing Les Miles back to LSU.
“LSU head coach” is the job title of Brian Kelly, who has been hired to lead LSU’s football program. The Tigers have a lot of talent on their roster and are expected to contend for a national championship in 2019.
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana – Brian Kelly revealed on Wednesday that he had no intention of leaving Notre Dame this season, but that the chance to become the head coach at LSU was too good to pass up.
LSU made the shocking revelation on Tuesday that Kelly has signed a 10-year, $95 million deal with the Tigers.
Kelly departed Notre Dame as the program’s all-time winningest head coach, with 113 victories in 12 seasons (including vacated wins).
Kelly informed reporters at his inaugural press conference in Baton Rouge, “There was no plan in place when I began the 2021 season that I was searching for another opportunity.” “I had a terrific football team that we were building, but when you have the chance to speak with [LSU athletic director] Scott Woodward and he offers a clear vision, the strategy here, and the opportunity, it was an exciting idea for me to consider. As I had more opportunities to communicate with individuals about this possibility, I felt compelled to accept it.”
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Kelly’s resignation was announced on Monday. The next morning, he addressed the players in a team meeting, stating he wanted to “get in front of them” and inform them face to face.
Kelly said that he loved his former teammates and that their bond made his choice to attend LSU tough.
“Leaving is never easy,” he remarked, “but we tried our best.”
Notre Dame, which is 11-1 and rated sixth in the country, “deserves to be in the postseason,” Kelly said.
He expressed interest in bringing some of his old aides to Baton Rouge, but noted that they are still working and haven’t finished their season yet.
He said, “That’s a process that we’ll have to go through.” “On both sides, there are squads to coach.”
LSU, which concluded the regular season with a 6-6 record, will play in a bowl game, according to Woodward.
Kelly said the current plan is for offensive line coach Brad Davis to serve as temporary head coach until the bowl game, but he and Woodward hadn’t addressed it. It was a “open dialogue,” according to Kelly.
Kelly takes over at LSU after head coach Ed Orgeron was sacked in mid-October after five seasons as the Tigers’ head coach.
After leading the Tigers to a national title in 2019, Orgeron has gone 11-11 in the two seasons thereafter. Orgeron is due $16.9 million as part of his buyout.
“This is a momentous time for Louisiana State University,” President William F. Tate IV remarked of Kelly’s appointment.
Kelly’s “winning days are just getting begun,” according to Woodward, who spoke with the 60-year-old.
“His and our plans to take this program to the next level are identical,” he added. “He isn’t here to get a taste of success. He’s here to make sure that his vision of what LSU football can be matches ours. He isn’t here to just blend in with our society. He’s come to change it. Most importantly, he has the same expectations for LSU football as we do. He isn’t just here to win. He’s come to compete for championships.”
Kelly, who has spent his entire coaching career in the Midwest, said he was attracted to LSU because of the unity that exists at all levels of the institution, from the president to the athletic director.
He said, “I came down here because I wanted to be among the greatest.” “The materials available here are exceptional. It all begins with alignment, quality, and a high level of performance. Listen, you’re judged based on how many championships you’ve won. That’s something I’d want. I’d want to be in the spotlight. I want to perform on Broadway. That is my true calling. So, absolutely, that’s a part of the game, there’s no denying that.”
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