Tag: Brian Kelly

Nov 30, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly looks on against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Brian Kelly: LSU learning money talks or five-stars walk

Posted on | by Field Level Media

When it comes to reeling in five-star recruits, LSU coach Brian Kelly shared his displeasure with the notion that money talks or five-star players walk on Signing Day.

While Kelly checked himself and noted not all recruits manage the process the same, he is concerned that many coveted high school players aren’t seeking the best fit, but the biggest paycheck to commit.

“It’s not just about finding the right fit, it’s about the most money I can get,” Kelly said. “That’s unfortunate, but it’s the world we live in. You realign and readjust.”

Two five-star recruits who committed to LSU opted to sign elsewhere in the past week. The Tigers are still feeling scorned by the decision of No. 1 overall recruit and quarterback Bryce Underwood bailing to play for Michigan. According to reports, his NIL offer was over $10 million.

“These guys wanted to be here … that’s much more important to me than the guys who didn’t want to be here,” Kelly said.

Life in the SEC is loaded with high-end recruits and high dollars in the era of NIL, which Kelly said turns Signing Day into “tax day.”

“Your brand has to be backed up by dollars. If you want to be able to close some of these. We have to have participation from a donor base,” he said, adding a program-building collective is mandatory in today’s landscape.

LSU didn’t come up empty on Wednesday, and Kelly was in a celebratory mood over the addition of five-star cornerback DJ Pickett, who also has the skills and experience to play on offense.

“We believe he is hands down the best cornerback in the country,” Kelly said. “Incredible length at 6-4. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt there’s a lockdown corner, but he is as close as it gets. And, his film on offense might be even better. He’s just elite.”

–Field Level Media

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly walks the field during pregame before the game against the Nicholls State Colonels at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

LSU alters schedule, bracing for Francine landfall

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South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer goes to significant lengths to help players prepare for “bad weather” games, and storms are possible Saturday in Columbia for the Gamecocks’ matchup with No. 16 LSU.

While the Tigers rearranged their schedule Wednesday to brace for the worst as Hurricane Francine threatens Louisiana and beyond, the Gamecocks are prepping equipment and could follow wet-weather prep protocol Beamer has used in the past. That includes dunking footballs in water, spraying players to get them accustomed to playing in rain and altering field conditions.

Practice was moved up for LSU on Wednesday. Head coach Brian Kelly and players got off the field at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday night and were informed the next one started early in the morning on Wednesday.

“Players had to come back in this morning around 6:30 a.m.,” Kelly said. “That’s a bit of a turnaround. But they have the rest of the day to recover. We’re expecting some rain in Columbia on Saturday so it was good preparation for us working with the wet ball. The practice was what I expected it to be on a Wednesday. Hopefully this storm passes through without much damage and we’re able to get back to a regular schedule on Thursday.”

Kelly said he spent time Wednesday discussing expectations and a “no excuses” approach to ball security, reminding offensive players they have an advantage on cuts and breaks over defenders guessing where they might be going. But the key point in Wednesday’s morning session was to take care of the ball.

“I’ve had some quarterbacks that spin it better than others in wet conditions. You have to cradle the ball a little bit different in wet conditions,” Kelly said. “That’s why it was important for me to get outside. I want to practice in these conditions because I don’t think it’s the same. … More than anything else, it’s taking care of the football in these conditions. We were talking about today, especially in special teams, how important all of these things are, especially on the road.”

Kelly is attempting to keep his own weekly routine intact while focusing on South Carolina (2-0). He said LSU knew Beamer would have a heavyweight contender in 2024.

“He’s got a quarterback that is an ascending players in this league, a salty defense with playmakers on the edge,” Kelly said. “Just a great challenge. One that we knew coming in, early in our schedule, we knew we were going to need to get ready for. Sold out stadium, (ESPN College) GameDay.”

Beamer said the Gamecocks are confident but guarding against letting their guard down.

“We talked this morning, one of the keys for Saturday is we have to learn how to deal with success the right way,” Beamer said Wednesday. “And handle some of the, I don’t want to say distractions, but there is a lot going on this week that we didn’t have to deal with last week. Or that we didn’t get to deal with last week. I think it’s a positive, I think we need to get used to it. but one we need to make sure we are handling distractions the right way and we also have to handle success the right way. And we have to realize right now that the bandwagon is getting full.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly waves to fans during warmups before the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

LSU parts ways with DC Matt House, 3 assistants

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LSU announced major changes to its defensive staff on Wednesday, parting ways with coordinator Matt House and three of his assistants.

Tigers head coach Brian Kelly announced the dismissals of House, cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples, safeties coach Kerry Cooks and defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey following a 10-3 season.

“I want to thank each of these coaches for their work on behalf of our football program and our institution during their time here,” Kelly said in a statement. “Decisions like these are always difficult, and we do not make them lightly, but they are made with the best interests of our program and our student-athletes in mind.”

LSU’s season ended Monday with a 35-31 victory against Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The Tigers finished tied for 78th among FBS defenses, allowing 28.0 points per game.

LSU’s losses this season came by scores of 42-28 (Alabama), 45-24 (Florida State) and 55-49 (Ole Miss).

House spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator in Baton Rouge. He coached linebackers with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2019-21 and previously worked as the DC for Kentucky, Florida International and Pitt.

–Field Level Media

Denver Harris 11 makes a catch during the LSU Tigers Spring Game at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY NETWORK. Saturday, April 22, 2023. Lsu Spring Football 9726

Report: LSU transfer CB Denver Harris faces discipline for role in fight

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Cornerback Denver Harris, a former five-star prospect who transferred to LSU this offseason, may be given “time away” from the program over his role in a fight at practice last week, 247Sports reported Tuesday.

Harris was absent from practice Monday and Tuesday, according to reporters in Baton Rouge, La. He was missing from the LSU team photo for the upcoming season, as well.

247Sports reported that Harris had a “pretty big role” in a fight at practice last week and attempted to instigate it further in the locker room.

The fight occurred Aug. 7 and involved punches and players being taken to the ground, the Baton Rouge Advocate reported. Wide receivers Malik Nabers and Kyren Lacy were dismissed from practice, and star linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. did not play another snap the rest of the day, the report said.

LSU coach Brian Kelly has not addressed Harris’ absence but is expected to do so Wednesday.

Despite rumors on social media, Harris has not been dismissed from the program, and his player bio is still available on the LSU football roster online.

Harris began his college career at Texas A&M and was one of three freshmen suspended indefinitely by coach Jimbo Fisher last season for an incident in the locker room at a road game. He did not play again for the Aggies after that.

In five games as a true freshman in 2022, Harris had 14 tackles and three pass breakups.

–Field Level Media

LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly addresses the media at the 2023 SEC Football Kickoff Media Days at the Nashville Grand Hyatt on Broadway, Monday, July 17, 2023.

LSU’s Brian Kelly on Northwestern: Coaches accountable for program’s troubles

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The buck stops with the head coach, LSU’s Brian Kelly said Monday, and lack of awareness is not an excuse when there’s a problem in the program.

Kelly was asked during the annual SEC Media Days in Nashville, Tenn., about the hazing scandal which led to the firing of longtime Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald on July 10.

“It’s a very difficult situation because I know Pat and I have the utmost respect for him as a person, as a family man, as a father,” Kelly said Monday. “But the reality of it is coaches are the leaders of their program. When things are not going the way they should be, there’s an accountability, and I don’t think he’s somebody that would walk away from accountability at any time, and I’m not here to speak for him, but I can tell you in my situation that a head coach is walking around those halls.”

Kelly has been a head coach since 1991, when he took over at NCAA Division II Grand Valley State. The top post at Division I Central Michigan, Cincinnati and Notre Dame followed before he made his LSU debut in 2022.

While the coach can’t be everywhere, he has assistant coaches and staff that also are around the players.

“A head coach is in the locker room,” Kelly said. “A head coach is eating with his team. A head coach knows his leadership team. He also has many other support staff members that are in constant contact with his football team. The strength staff, your mental performance teams. You have so many different outlets to touch those players on a day-to-day basis.

“That’s how we operate within our program.”

The Tigers went 10-4 in Kelly’s first season, including a 32-31 overtime victory at home over then-No. 6 Alabama. LSU won the Southeastern Conference’s West Division and lost 50-30 to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game before downing Purdue 63-7 in the Citrus Bowl.

Kelly said measuring the gap between two-time defending national champion Georgia and the rest of the SEC will have to come from results on the field — the score and the competitiveness of the games.

“We’ll only have that opportunity if we get into the championship game against Georgia,” Kelly said.

“I know that based upon how we’ve recruited and how we’ll continue to recruit, that we’ll have a football roster that will be able to compete against Georgia,” he continued. “Is that right now? No, it’s not. But if we continue to do what we’re doing, we’re going to have a roster that can compete against Georgia, and then it’s just a matter of getting it done on the playing field so everybody then can assess they’ve closed the gap.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers linebacker OC Brothers (20) and Purdue Boilermakers safety Cam Allen (10) attempt to tackle LSU Tigers running back John Emery Jr. (4) during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

LSU RB John Emery (academics) out for start of spring practice

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LSU fifth-year running back John Emery missed the first day of spring practice on Thursday and won’t return until he meets academic requirements, coach Brian Kelly said.

A Louisiana native, Emery was a five-star prospect and ranked as the nation’s No. 2 running back — No. 13 overall recruit — in the 2019 class by the 247Sports composite. But he has failed to live up to expectations, largely because of academics.

Emery missed the 2021 season and the first two games of 2022 because of academic ineligibility.

“John is focused strictly right now on his academics,” Kelly said. “He’s got some marks that he has to hit from an academic standpoint before we talk about football with him. That was the deal with John and talking to his family. If his primary focus was academics and taking care of his degree, then we would have a conversation about football.”

Emery has appeared in 30 career games (five starts) and run for 941 yards with 13 touchdowns at LSU. He has caught 33 passes for 262 yards and two scores.

The Tigers enter spring practice undermanned at the position. Josh Williams and Armoni Goodwin are out with injuries, with Goodwin’s ailment expected to keep him out until preseason camp. Both players had their 2022 seasons cut short by knee injuries.

Noah Cain and freshman Trey Holly are the only available scholarship players, NOLA.com reported.

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly prepares for the SEC Championship against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Audit: LSU overpaid Brian Kelly by $1M in 2022

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An audit conducted by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office revealed that LSU overpaid head coach Brian Kelly by more than $1 million in 2022.

The report, released Monday, found that Kelly was paid an extra $1,001,368 due to LSU making double payments to Kelly and his LLC in May and June of 2022.

Changes in terms to Kelly’s original $10-year, $95 million deal in April 2022 resulted in the overpayment.

“In May 2022, LSU began making supplemental payments to the coach’s LLC,” the report read. “However, LSU also erroneously continued to make supplemental payments to the coach directly, thereby resulting in monthly double payments until LSU management detected it in November 2022.”

LSU will eventually recoup the money.

“LSU management and the head football coach have enacted an adjusted payment schedule so the amount of overpayment will be recouped by the conclusion of fiscal year 2023,” the report stated.

Kelly led LSU to a 10-4 record in Year 1, culminating with a 63-7 win over Purdue in the Citrus Bowl.

–Field Level Media

Oct 23, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (5) during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

LSU decides on starting QB; won’t reveal decision

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LSU head coach Brian Kelly said he has decided on a starting quarterback for Sunday’s season opener in New Orleans against Florida State, but declined to release the details of his choice.

“We’ve made a decision, but I’m not going to announce it publicly,” Kelly said, adding that he came to the decision over the weekend.

Kelly’s choice is down to redshirt freshman Garrett Nussmeier and junior transfer Jayden Daniels. It has been characterized as a 50/50 battle throughout the preparations for the upcoming season.

Nussmeier played four games for LSU last season, going 29 of 57 for 329 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Daniels proved himself to be a productive two-way threat in three seasons at Arizona State. He even guided the Sun Devils to a victory over Florida State in the 2019 Sun Bowl. Last season at Arizona State, the Los Angeles-area product threw for 2,381 yards and 10 TDs, with 710 yards rushing and six more scores.

Kelly said the decision will not be revealed until before Sunday’s game against the Seminoles (1-0).

“It doesn’t help us to play that card (now),” Kelly said.

Kelly did announce his starting offensive line. It will consist of Will Campbell at left tackle, Miles Frazier at left guard, Garrett Dellinger at center, Anthony Bradford at right guard and Cam Wire at right tackle.

Kelly, who takes over the Tigers program after going 113-40 in 12 seasons at Notre Dame, replaces Ed Orgeron, who departed following what was portrayed as a mutual agreement.

–Field Level Media

Aug 9, 2021; West Harrison, Indiana, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock directs a drill during practice at the Higher Ground training facility. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene/The Cincinnati Enquirer via USA TODAY NETWORK

Reports: Cincinnati OC Mike Denbrock heading to LSU

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Cincinnati offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock is expected to leave the school to take the same position at LSU, multiple outlets reported Saturday.

Denbrock joined the Bearcats staff in 2017. In 2021, he helped to lead Cincinnati to an undefeated regular season and the College Football Playoff.

The Bearcats were the first Group of Five team to qualify for the CFP and were defeated by Alabama 27-6 on Friday in the Cotton Bowl. They finished with a 13-1 record.

At LSU, he’ll be joining the staff of Brian Kelly, who was hired Nov. 30. Denbrock, who turns 58 this month, worked under Kelly at both Grand Valley State and at Notre Dame. He’s also coached at Illinois State, Stanford and Washington.

–Field Level Media

Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly walks off the field after the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame AD: Brian Kelly didn’t give chance to match offer

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Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said Tuesday that outgoing coach Brian Kelly didn’t give him a chance to match the offer that he accepted at LSU, adding that Kelly won’t coach the Irish in their bowl game.

Kelly was officially named as LSU’s new head coach Tuesday.

Swarbrick said he feels “less of a need to have a designated interim” but will designate someone on the staff to make head-coaching decisions as the Irish prepare for a possible College Football Playoff appearance. At worst, Notre Dame will play in a top New Year’s Day bowl game.

“I have every confidence we will be fully prepared for what I hope is a CFP game,” Swarbrick said. “Brian will not be a part of that for us.”

Regardless, any interim would not be a candidate for the permanent job, he said.

Notre Dame sits 11-1 and was No. 6 in the CFP rankings last week. However, the Irish could move into the top four after No. 2 Ohio State’s loss last week.

Swarbrick said he sensed a “certain restlessness” in Kelly the past few weeks, saying “it felt like somebody who might be open to a different opportunity,” including Kelly making “Freudian slips.”

Swarbrick also said he did not speak with Kelly until after the news broke Monday night.

“He did not discuss with me the conversations he had with other universities,” Swarbrick said. “We are always talking about the program’s needs. There was nothing identified at any time that was something we could not meet.”

Swarbrick said he has not reached out to any potential candidates yet, and said it’s about the right fit. He will not utilize a search firm. He also said he does not keep a list of potential candidates, instead plans to build characteristics of the next head coach.

Swarbrick’s comments come in the aftermath of a messy exodus by Kelly, who texted his team late Monday night only after media reports came out that he was heading to LSU.

“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,” Kelly’s message read, per The Athletic. “Our program is elite because of your hard work and commitment and I know that will continue. I will share more in the morning when we meet. Again, my sincere apologies for not being able to be the one to share the news directly with you.”

Further, The Athletic reported that Kelly ghosted his assistant coaches, some of whom were on recruiting trips.

Kelly reportedly met with his team Tuesday morning and left after roughly 11 minutes. According to the LSU press release, Kelly was flying to Baton Rouge on Tuesday afternoon.

Kelly, 60, became the winningest coach in Notre Dame history earlier this season, passing Knute Rockne, and won 113 of 153 games in 12 years at Notre Dame. He took the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff twice.

–Field Level Media