Brian Kelly of LSU Football Supports Notre Dame and Responds to Criticism After Leaving

When Brian Kelly made the decision to leave Notre Dame and take the head coaching job at LSU in late 2021, it sent shockwaves through the college football world. After more than a decade of success at Notre Dame, including multiple College Football Playoff appearances and a consistently competitive program, Kelly’s sudden departure to Baton Rouge was met with mixed emotions from fans, players, and analysts alike. Many questioned Kelly’s loyalty, while others debated the timing of his move. However, as LSU’s new head coach, Kelly has since been given the opportunity to build something new, all while continuing to show his respect and admiration for the program he helped elevate for 12 seasons.

In the aftermath of his departure, Kelly has not shied away from responding to criticism, defending his decision, and asserting that his love for Notre Dame remains strong. Now, entering his second season at LSU, Kelly’s ability to navigate this complex chapter of his career speaks to his experience, leadership, and strategic mindset. This article takes a closer look at Kelly’s decision to leave Notre Dame, the backlash he received, how he responded to criticism, and his continued support for the Fighting Irish as he builds his legacy at LSU.

1. Kelly’s Tenure at Notre Dame: A Legacy of Success

Brian Kelly’s relationship with Notre Dame is a lengthy one. Kelly took over as head coach in 2010, succeeding Charlie Weis, and immediately set out to restore the Fighting Irish to national prominence. Despite early struggles, Kelly quickly turned Notre Dame into a formidable program. By his fourth season, Notre Dame was competing in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game, where they ultimately fell to Alabama, but the appearance marked a huge milestone for the program. Kelly’s ability to develop players, recruit at a high level, and build a competitive team was evident from the start.

Throughout his tenure, Kelly became known for his disciplined, no-nonsense coaching style. He instilled a culture of toughness, accountability, and resilience, which became the foundation of his successful run at Notre Dame. Kelly’s Notre Dame teams consistently finished with double-digit wins, and his leadership guided the team to multiple major bowl games and College Football Playoff appearances. Under his watch, the Fighting Irish became a national contender year in and year out.

However, despite all the success and the high expectations at Notre Dame, Kelly faced criticism for not winning a national championship. Notre Dame fans and analysts alike were frustrated by the program’s inability to get over the hump and win a national title. The lack of a national championship ultimately became the driving force behind Kelly’s decision to pursue new challenges, even if that meant leaving a program where he had achieved so much.

2. The Decision to Leave Notre Dame for LSU

In late November 2021, just days before Notre Dame was set to play in a major bowl game, Brian Kelly made the decision to leave Notre Dame and accept the head coaching position at LSU. The timing of the move raised eyebrows, as it came in the midst of a successful season for the Fighting Irish, who were still in the hunt for a potential playoff spot. Kelly’s sudden departure was viewed as a bold move, and it caught many people by surprise.

The decision itself made sense when considering the trajectory of college football and Kelly’s desire to take on a new challenge. LSU, with its rich football history and its status as one of the premier programs in the country, was a tempting opportunity for any coach. The allure of competing in the SEC, with its high level of competition and the resources available at LSU, was undoubtedly a driving factor in Kelly’s decision. The chance to build a program in the heart of college football’s most competitive conference was something that Kelly saw as a unique opportunity.

However, Kelly’s departure came at a significant cost. Many Notre Dame fans were heartbroken by his decision, feeling betrayed by a coach who had led them to the cusp of greatness but had never delivered the ultimate prize. Additionally, Kelly’s abrupt exit raised questions about his loyalty to the program that had given him so much success. The timing of the move — just as Notre Dame was preparing for a bowl game and the uncertainty of a potential playoff appearance — did not sit well with many.

3. Criticism and Backlash: The Reaction to Kelly’s Departure

Brian Kelly’s departure from Notre Dame was met with a swift backlash. The fans who had supported him throughout his time at the helm felt that Kelly had abandoned them at a crucial juncture in the season. As is often the case with such moves, Kelly faced intense criticism for leaving a program that had provided him with a platform to succeed. Many questioned his decision to leave Notre Dame, especially when the Fighting Irish were just a few steps away from competing for a playoff berth.

The criticism didn’t just come from fans. Some of the Notre Dame players, especially those who had bought into Kelly’s system and culture, were also disheartened by the coach’s decision to leave. For them, Kelly’s sudden exit was a personal betrayal, and some felt as though they had been abandoned in the middle of a promising season. Reports surfaced about the emotional toll the departure had on the locker room, with several players expressing disappointment and frustration over their coach’s decision.

Additionally, Kelly’s move was widely viewed as a “step up” in terms of career opportunities, which led to further criticism from those who felt that Kelly was prioritizing his own ambitions over his commitment to the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame, after all, had been a top-tier program under Kelly, and many felt he owed it to the school and the players to finish what he had started.

4. Kelly Responds to Criticism and Defends His Decision

Despite the backlash, Brian Kelly was quick to respond to the criticism that followed his departure. In several interviews, Kelly explained that his decision to leave Notre Dame was not one that he took lightly. He acknowledged the disappointment of some fans and players but defended his decision as one that was in the best interest of his career and his family.

Kelly was transparent about the fact that he felt he had accomplished everything he could at Notre Dame. While he had built a successful program and achieved great things with the Fighting Irish, he believed that LSU offered a new challenge that he couldn’t pass up. The allure of coaching in the SEC, recruiting in a football-crazed region, and competing for national championships was an opportunity he couldn’t ignore.

Kelly also took time to express his admiration for Notre Dame, making it clear that his decision was not a reflection of any dissatisfaction with the school or its fan base. In fact, he was quick to point out that his time at Notre Dame was one of the most fulfilling of his coaching career. He expressed gratitude for the relationships he had built with players, coaches, and staff members during his tenure and emphasized that his decision was not driven by any animosity or desire to leave a program that he had poured so much into.

Perhaps the most telling part of Kelly’s response was his ongoing support for Notre Dame’s future. Even though he had moved on to LSU, Kelly made it clear that he still wanted to see Notre Dame succeed. In public statements, he continued to offer words of encouragement to the program and its new head coach, Marcus Freeman. Kelly expressed confidence that Notre Dame would continue to thrive and reiterated that he would be cheering for the Fighting Irish from afar.

5. Kelly’s Continued Support for Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman

One of the most notable aspects of Kelly’s response to criticism has been his unwavering support for Notre Dame, despite the fallout from his departure. Kelly has consistently spoken positively about the program, its traditions, and its future. He has gone out of his way to show respect for the university and the people who helped him succeed, even as he works to build his legacy at LSU.

In particular, Kelly has made it clear that he is rooting for Marcus Freeman, who succeeded him as head coach at Notre Dame. Freeman, a former player and defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, was an obvious choice to take over the program after Kelly’s departure. Kelly has publicly praised Freeman’s leadership and expressed confidence that he will lead Notre Dame back to the top of college football.

Kelly’s continued support for Freeman and the Fighting Irish speaks to his character and his long-term relationship with the program. While some might have expected Kelly to sever ties with Notre Dame after his departure, he has remained a positive and influential figure in the program’s future. His loyalty to Notre Dame is evident, and he has made it clear that he has nothing but respect for the school and its football team.

6. Kelly at LSU: Building a New Legacy

As Kelly enters his second season at LSU, the focus has shifted from the past to the future. While the transition from Notre Dame to LSU was certainly challenging, Kelly has quickly established himself as a leader in Baton Rouge. His first season at LSU was filled with ups and downs, but he showed that he had the ability to build a program that could compete for SEC titles and national championships.

At LSU, Kelly is tasked with building a championship-caliber team in one of the most competitive conferences in college football. The resources at LSU are significant, and the talent pool is deep, but the SEC West presents formidable challenges in Alabama, Texas A&M, and other top programs. Kelly’s ability to adapt and adjust to his new surroundings will be critical to his success at LSU.

As he builds his legacy at LSU, Kelly’s success will be viewed through the lens of his time at Notre Dame. His ability to succeed in Baton Rouge while remaining supportive of Notre Dame will be a testament to his character and leadership.