Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame was expected to receive a strong response from Brian Kelly of LSU.

The college football world is never short of drama, particularly when it comes to the relationships between coaches, players, and the institutions they represent. One of the most compelling storylines in recent years has been the shift of Brian Kelly, the longtime Notre Dame head coach, to LSU in 2021. The move sent shockwaves through the college football community, particularly in South Bend, where Kelly had spent over a decade building the Fighting Irish program into a perennial contender. Fast forward to 2025, and the storyline of Kelly’s transition to LSU has continued to evolve, particularly with Marcus Freeman, his successor at Notre Dame, now firmly at the helm for the Fighting Irish.

Kelly’s departure from Notre Dame was monumental for both the program and its fanbase. A successful tenure at Notre Dame earned him a storied reputation, and his abrupt decision to leave for LSU raised many eyebrows. Freeman, a former defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, quickly rose to prominence when he was appointed as head coach of the Fighting Irish. As two powerful figures in college football—one with a history of success and one with a burgeoning reputation—Kelly and Freeman are set to square off in one of the most anticipated matchups in college football’s upcoming years. The 2025 season is expected to be a defining year in this narrative, with many speculating that Kelly will have a strong response to Freeman and Notre Dame, especially as LSU builds momentum in the SEC under his leadership.

The Brian Kelly Departure: A Shock to Notre Dame

Brian Kelly’s decision to leave Notre Dame for LSU in 2021 shocked many college football fans. Kelly had been at Notre Dame for 12 years, guiding the program to consistent success. Under his watch, the Fighting Irish had become a dominant force in college football, regularly competing for national championships and reaching the College Football Playoff. While Kelly’s tenure in South Bend was often marked by frustration from fans regarding the team’s inability to win a national title, his overall success was undeniable.

Kelly’s departure left Notre Dame in a precarious position, with the program now needing to find a new leader capable of continuing the success that Kelly had built. The selection of Marcus Freeman, who had been promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach, was a bold move. Freeman, widely regarded as a rising star in college football coaching circles, had only been at Notre Dame for a brief period. However, his background as a former defensive coordinator and his deep understanding of the program made him a logical choice to carry the torch.

The immediate aftermath of Kelly’s departure left some feeling uneasy. While Freeman’s promotion energized the fanbase, many wondered whether he could replicate the success that Kelly had brought to Notre Dame. After all, Kelly had been the most successful coach in the history of the program, and his ability to recruit, develop players, and lead the team to the top of the rankings had set a high bar for his successor.

The Rise of Marcus Freeman

Marcus Freeman’s appointment as head coach of Notre Dame marked a new era for the program. As a young, energetic leader, Freeman brought a fresh approach to a team that had been largely built around Kelly’s stable and methodical style. Freeman, with his experience as a defensive coordinator at Notre Dame and at other programs like Cincinnati, quickly became known for his dynamic recruiting abilities and his focus on developing a more aggressive, high-energy defense. His fiery speeches, relentless work ethic, and approach to program building resonated well with both players and recruits.

Freeman also took a more hands-on approach when it came to team leadership, developing strong relationships with his players and making clear that he would not shy away from tough decisions. Under his leadership, Notre Dame has continued to be a top contender in college football, and while the Fighting Irish have not yet reached the pinnacle under Freeman, the foundation is being laid for long-term success.

However, Freeman’s tenure has not been without its challenges. The expectations placed on him were monumental given the high standard set by Kelly, and while Freeman has kept the team competitive, there has been pressure to consistently win at the highest level. As Notre Dame continued to grow under Freeman’s leadership, the question of how Freeman would handle the legacy of Kelly—and how he would fare against his former mentor—became a point of speculation.

Brian Kelly’s Move to LSU: A New Chapter

For Brian Kelly, the move to LSU represented a bold step into a new chapter in his career. After years of dominance at Notre Dame, Kelly decided to take on the challenge of coaching in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), one of the most competitive and unforgiving leagues in college football. LSU, with its rich history, elite recruiting base, and passionate fanbase, presented a unique opportunity for Kelly to achieve the one thing that had eluded him in South Bend—a national championship.

At LSU, Kelly inherited a talented roster but also a program in transition. The Tigers had experienced ups and downs in recent years, and the program needed a stable, experienced leader to return them to their former glory. Kelly, with his proven track record of building successful teams, seemed like the perfect fit to guide LSU back to national prominence. His leadership and ability to attract top-tier recruits have been critical in reshaping the team’s identity.

Under Kelly’s leadership, LSU has seen a resurgence. The team’s defense has become more disciplined, the offense more dynamic, and the recruiting efforts have been exceptional. By year three, Kelly has built the Tigers into a formidable force in the SEC, and the program is on the cusp of competing for national championships once again. The 2025 season promises to be a critical year for LSU, as Kelly looks to capitalize on the momentum he has built and continue LSU’s ascent to the top of the college football world.

The Anticipation of 2025: LSU vs. Notre Dame

By 2025, the storyline of Brian Kelly’s departure from Notre Dame will have reached its next phase. After two seasons of rebuilding LSU into a powerhouse, Kelly’s Tigers are expected to be among the favorites to compete for a national championship. Meanwhile, Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish will also be looking to assert themselves as a title contender, with Freeman continuing to build on his foundation of success. As both teams ascend toward the pinnacle of college football, a clash between Kelly’s LSU and Freeman’s Notre Dame would be an electrifying and highly anticipated matchup.

It is widely believed that Brian Kelly, who spent over a decade at Notre Dame, will approach this game with a sense of motivation and resolve. As a coach who values success and legacy, Kelly’s competitive drive will surely come into play when facing his former team. The dynamics of this rivalry will not only center on the X’s and O’s of football but also on the emotional weight of Kelly returning to Notre Dame, this time as an opposing coach.

Kelly’s decision to leave Notre Dame likely still lingers in the hearts of many Fighting Irish fans, and there is no doubt that he will face considerable pressure to prove that his move to LSU was the right decision for his career. While he brought success to South Bend, winning championships eluded him, and that could be a key motivator in his matchups against Freeman’s Notre Dame. Kelly’s success at LSU would serve as a powerful statement in the ongoing rivalry between the two.

On the other hand, Marcus Freeman’s approach to the game will be shaped by his understanding of Kelly’s legacy at Notre Dame and his desire to continue to build the program into a championship contender. Freeman’s defensive expertise and tactical approach will be tested by Kelly’s high-powered offense at LSU, and the outcome of this showdown will be a significant marker for Freeman’s career. Beating Kelly and LSU would solidify Freeman’s stature as a rising star and a worthy successor to the legacy Kelly built at Notre Dame.

A Strong Response: What to Expect from Kelly

Brian Kelly has always been known for his intense competitive spirit and his ability to rise to challenges. The 2025 season, particularly the potential matchup against Notre Dame, will undoubtedly serve as a moment of reckoning for Kelly. It is expected that Kelly will approach this game with a chip on his shoulder, ready to prove that his decision to leave Notre Dame was justified and that LSU is now on a path to greater success. His success at LSU will be directly tied to how well he can execute on the biggest stage, and a strong performance against his former team would be an undeniable statement of his accomplishments.

While Kelly’s response may come in the form of strategic excellence and a determined mindset, it is also worth considering how he will handle the emotional weight of this game. There is little doubt that facing his former team will stir up emotions for Kelly, but it is this very emotional investment that could fuel his drive to succeed. Expect Kelly to respond with the same level of intensity that has defined his career, determined to show that his move to LSU was the right choice for him and the program.