Brian Kelly changed the college football landscape on Monday when he decided to leave Notre Dame after ten years to become the new head coach of the LSU Tigers.
There have been plenty of reactions to the dramatic career change. Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn wondered why Kelly would think this was a better option. Current Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick seems to have seen the writing on the wall and wasn’t too surprised. Plenty of people around college football are concerned about how it impact’s the Irish’s chances of making the College Football Playoff.
But what does Kelly himself think? Why did he decide to make the massive move to the SEC?
The new LSU coach stopped by The Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday to share his side of the story. Dan asked Kelly what LSU gives him that Notre Dame couldn’t anymore, and Kelly said it had less to do with what Notre Dame couldn’t do and more to do with what LSU could.
"I was at that time in my career where I was looking for that new challenge."
-Brian Kelly on why he decided to leave #NotreDame for #LSU#FightIrish #GeauxTigers pic.twitter.com/OUyvPDrmaO
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) December 1, 2021
“Well, I don’t know if it had anything to do with what Notre Dame couldn’t give me, as much as, another opportunity, another challenge. To come down to the SEC. To play in arguably the best conference in the country. And the resources here are incredible. So I just think another opportunity, one where you’re gonna be challenged week in and week out amongst the best.
“I was at that time in my career where I was looking for that new challenge, Dan. I’m really excited.”
Patrick also asked Kelly was the most surreal moment of the last few days had been for him. Kelly said it’s been “one continuous moment in time.” He also said that he was recruiting in Los Angeles for Notre Dame while also negotiating for the LSU job.
Brian Kelly told us that he was recruiting in LA as #NotreDame Head Coach, and on his way back to South Bend he found out that the deal with #LSU was solidified…#GeauxTigers #FightingIrish pic.twitter.com/xXJpjvmeuU
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) December 1, 2021
Lots more to come from Kelly in the coming days, especially when he has his official press conference as the new LSU Tigers head coach.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.