Brian Kelly’s exit from Notre Dame for LSU quickly got messy
Brian Kelly’s stunning move ruffled a few feathers.
Notre Dame’s 12-year-old head coach ran for Monday’s LSU opening for a reportedA 10-year contract worth more than $100 million. Ed Orgeron will be replaced by him, having agreed in October with LSU to end the season.
Both his Notre Dame players and staff seemed to be blindsided by his decision. Kelly informed his staff about his resignation late Monday night. according to an image obtained by The Athletic.
“Men… Let me first apologize for the late night text and, more importantly, for not being able to share the news with you in person that I will be leaving Notre Dame,” the message read. “I am flying back to South Bend tonight to be able to meet with you in the morning but the news broke late today and I am sorry you found out through social media or news reports.”
Kelly said that she would provide an explanation in a Tuesday morning meeting.
“I will have more to share when we meet tomorrow at 7 a.m. but for now, just know that my love for you is limitless and I am so proud of all that you have accomplished. … I will share more in the morning when we meet,” the message continued. “Again, my sincere apologies for not being able to be the one to share the news directly with you.”
The ramifications of Kelly’s decision reached the recruiting trail. He reportedly ghosted his assistants in the final hours, some of which were busy with recruits at the time and only heard about the decision from the news and social media: “The news broke when I walked out of the house, so I look like a f–king asshole,” one assistant told The Athletic. The report also revealed that boosters and administrators had not been informed of the plan. Notre Dame may lose some recruits that had signed with Kelly as their coach. Oklahoma lost three of its recruits on Sunday, when it was announced that Lincoln Riley had left for USC. Two more were lost Monday.
Kelly rejected the notion of Kelly leaving only one week before. “No. You know, Mike Tomlin was the greatest line I have ever seen. Unless that fairy godmother comes by with that $250 million check, my wife would want to take a look at it first,” Kelly told reporters. “I’d have to run it by her.”
