LSU's Brian Kelly on ND Departure: Legacies Aren't 'What I Spend Time Thinking About'
Dec 1, 2021
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 01: Brian Kelly speaks after being introduced as the head football coach of the LSU Tigers during a news conference at Tiger Stadium on December 01, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
The idea of retiring as a coaching legend at Notre Dame apparently didn't appeal to Brian Kelly.
At his introductory press conference as LSU's new head coach, Kelly said that "legacies are not part of what I spend time thinking about."
The 60-year-old shed some light on his priorities.
"You’re looked at in terms of championships here," he said. "I want that. … I want to be on the Broadway stage. That’s what my passion is."
Kelly added he felt the challenge of leading the Tigers "was something I had to take on."
Beyond the fact there was little indication Kelly planned to leave South Bend, Indiana, his decision was almost without precedent.
Not only did he move on from one of college football's most prominent programs, he also did so while the Fighting Irish still have a path into the College Football Playoff. They sit sixth in the CFP rankings and could plausibly jump into the top four with some combination of Alabama, Cincinnati, Michigan and Oklahoma State losing this weekend.
Kelly's comments could be telling, though.
Notre Dame enjoyed its fifth straight season with double digit wins in 2021 and reached the playoff twice within the previous three years. When facing off with elite opponents, the Fighting Irish seemed to hit their ceiling.
They lost their two semifinal games by a combined score of 61-17. There was also a 44-28 loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl in 2015 and the 42-14 drubbing at the hands of Alabama in the BCS National Championship in 2012.
LSU, meanwhile, has won national titles under each of its last three head coaches (Nick Saban, Les Miles and Ed Orgeron). The Tigers haven't been as consistent as Notre Dame from year to year, and there's plenty of competition in the SEC. But the right coach can clearly build a championship winner in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
One could argue Kelly showed his true feelings about his previous stop by accepting LSU's offer when he did. Even if Notre Dame qualifies for the playoff, he may see the outcome being the same as the team's last two trips.
For a lot of coaches, leading the Fighting Irish represents the ultimate goal and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. That's not true for everybody, and Kelly is a prime example.
Brian Kelly's Decision to Leave Notre Dame for LSU Wasn't Surprising, AD Says
Nov 30, 2021
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is seen during the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Notre Dame Stadium on November 20, 2021 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said Tuesday that Brian Kelly's decision to leave ND and become the new head football coach at LSU didn't catch him off guard.
According to Brett McMurphy of The Action Network, Swarbrick said: "I was not surprised. There had been enough in weeks leading up, gave me the sense that there were other things attracting Brian. I was not surprised."
Per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, LSU confirmed Tuesday morning that it had agreed to a 10-year, $95 million contract with Kelly to make him its new head coach after he spent the previous 12 seasons with the Fighting Irish.
After his hiring at LSU became official, Kelly released the following statement regarding his move to the Tigers and the SEC:
"I could not be more excited to join a program with the commitment to excellence, rich traditions and unrivaled pride and passion of LSU Football. I am fully committed to recruiting, developing and graduating elite student-athletes, winning championships, and working together with our administration to make Louisiana proud. Our potential is unlimited, and I cannot wait to call Baton Rouge home."
Kelly is replacing national championship-winning head coach Ed Orgeron at LSU after Orgeron announced earlier in the season that he was parting ways with LSU at the conclusion of the campaign.
While Kelly never won a national title at Notre Dame, he helped the Irish achieve their greatest success since the late 1980s and early '90s under Lou Holtz.
Overall, Kelly went 113-40 at Notre Dame, making him the winningest head coach in school history ahead of Knute Rockne (105) and Holtz (100).
Notre Dame won double-digit games in each of the past five seasons, marking the first time in school history it accomplished that feat.
The Irish fell to Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game in 2012 and reached the College Football Playoff in both 2018 and 2020, losing in the semifinals each time.
This season, Notre Dame is 11-1 with its only loss coming to undefeated Cincinnati, which is ranked fourth in the CFP rankings ahead of Tuesday's end-of-regular-season rankings release.
Notre Dame, which is ranked sixth, has a chance to move up to fifth since No. 2 Ohio State lost to No. 5 Michigan on Saturday.
It isn't outside the realm of possibility that Notre Dame could still make the College Football Playoff if one or more of Alabama, Michigan and Cincinnati lose their conference title games, and if that happens, it may be defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman leading the way as interim head coach, although Notre Dame has yet to make an announcement on that front.
Brian Kelly: LSU a 'Legitimate Contender for Championships' After Leaving Notre Dame
Nov 30, 2021
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is seen during the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Notre Dame Stadium on November 20, 2021 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
LSU stunned the college football world when it announced the hiring of former Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly to a 10-year, $95 million contract that will also include incentives.
Kelly is already setting his sights on a national championship, something he was unable to secure during his time at Notre Dame.
"The expectation for me was to be a legitimate contender for championships," he said during a video introducing him as the new LSU head coach, per Pete Sampson of The Athletic.
A little reading between the lines of that quote could suggest Kelly believes the ceiling is higher with the Tigers than the Fighting Irish.
Winning plenty of games was never the problem for Kelly at Notre Dame. In fact, his teams won double-digit games in each of the past five years counting the current season and reached the College Football Playoff during the 2018 and 2020 campaigns.
The issue is what happened once the program reached the CFP with blowout losses to Clemson and Alabama that hinted at its ceiling when it came to competing against the top-notch programs in the country.
LSU has not been nearly as consistent from a record basis with just two seasons of double-digit wins in the past eight years, but the height of its ceiling was on full display during a 15-0 season in 2019 that saw the Tigers take home the national title with players such as Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Clyde Edwards-Helaire leading the way.
Those championship expectations also dial up the pressure for whoever is in charge with the Tigers, as Ed Orgeron is no longer the head coach just two years removed from that national title.
Kelly has consistently delivered during a coaching career that includes stops with Central Michigan and Cincinnati as well. His overall record is 166-62, and he went 113-40 during 12 seasons with the Fighting Irish.
He is not shying away from expectations as he enters an SEC that will include Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M, among others, in the near future.
5-Star WR Prospect Evan Stewart Commits to Texas A&M over Alabama, LSU, Texas, More
Nov 30, 2021
Texas A&M has landed one of the most dynamic playmakers in the 2022 recruiting class with Tuesday's announcement that Evan Stewart has committed.
Stewart revealed his decision to join the Aggies on Instagram. He was also considering Alabama, LSU, Texas and Florida among other high-profile programs across the country.
Stewart is one of the best players in the 2022 class. He's a 5-star prospect, the No. 1 wideout and third-ranked player overall by 247Sports' composite rankings.
"Athleticism translates to the gridiron," Gabe Brooks of 247Sports wrote in Stewart's scouting report. "Gets on top of corners quickly and flashes runaway speed. Shows good acceleration. Quick-footed and should possess high ceiling as a route-runner. Springy in 50-50 situations and can go up and get it in traffic. Can more consistently leverage DB's into breaks."
Stewart is one of the most impressive athletes in this year's class. He was named 2021 boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year by the Dallas Morning News after winning the 5A state championship in long jump and the 4x400-meter relay.
Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher and his staff have been fantastic loading up on recruits for next season.
Per 247Sports' composite rankings, Texas A&M only trails Georgia and Alabama in the 2022 class standings. Stewart is the program's 19th commitment and third 5-star recruit.
Texas A&M had a disappointing 8-4 record this season after being ranked No. 6 in the Associated Press' preseason Top 25. One reason is because the offense lacked a dynamic playmaker on the outside to ease the burden on quarterback Zach Calzada.
Jalen Wydermyer led the Aggies with 515 yards on 40 receptions. Stewart's speed and athleticism should allow Fisher and offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey to open things up.
Billy Napier, Florida Agree Contract to Be Next HC to Replace Dan Mullen
Nov 28, 2021
Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Billy Napier walks on the sideline during an NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Monroe in Lafayette, La., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Florida confirmed Sunday that it has hired Louisiana-Lafayette's Billy Napier as its next head football coach.
Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated first reported the hire.
Napier has a 39-12 record across four seasons at Louisiana, leading the Ragin' Cajuns to a 11-1 record so far in 2021. The team is set to compete in the Sun Belt Championship Game on Saturday at home against Appalachian State.
After taking over a squad that went 5-7 in 2017, Napier led Louisiana to a 7-7 record and a bowl appearance in his first season as a head coach. The squad then went 11-3 in 2019, the first season with double-digit wins in school history.
The Ragin' Cajuns have now accomplished the feat in three straight years, including the 10-1 mark in 2020 that ended with a win in the First Responder Bowl.
Prior to his time as a head coach, the 42-year-old gained experience at some of the top programs in the country, including as an offensive coordinator at Clemson and receivers coach at Alabama. The former Furman quarterback also served as offensive coordinator at Arizona State in 2017.
The Tennessee native fill the vacancy left by Dan Mullen, who was fired last Sunday after a 5-6 start to the season.
Mullen produced a 34-15 record across four seasons at Florida, earning wins in the Orange Bowl and Peach Bowl before reaching the SEC Championship Game last season. A slow start to 2021 ended his tenure, showing the high expectations for this program.
Napier will be expected to get the Gators back to national-title contention in a hurry.
When it comes to conference championship weekend, it doesn't get bigger than the matchup between Alabama and Georgia. The SEC powerhouses will meet with the conference title on the line for the third time in the history of the game...
Oklahoma's Lincoln Riley: 'I’m Not Going to Be the Next Coach at LSU' Despite Rumors
Nov 28, 2021
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the Oklahoma Sooners watches his team before a game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
The Oklahoma Sooners suffered a disappointing 37-33 loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday, and despite some of the team's struggles this season, head coach Lincoln Riley isn't considering leaving for the vacant head coaching position at LSU.
“Let me stop you right there. I’m not going to be the next coach at LSU. Next question,” Riley told reporters after the loss.
Riley's comments come after long-time LSU head coach Ed Orgeron announced he would not coach the team's bowl game following an upset win over Texas A&M on Saturday. Orgeron and the Tigers agreed to part ways on Oct. 17 following a disappointing 4-3 start to the 2021 season.
The Tigers have fallen short of expectations since winning the national championship in 2019. They are 11-11 over the past two seasons, so it's no surprise Orgeron is on his way out, even if he is the fourth-winningest coach in LSU history at 51-20.
Riley has been linked as a target for LSU athletic director Scott Woodward since it was announced Orgeron was out as head coach after the 2021 season. However, Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher is reportedly Woodward’s top target. Fisher has adamantly denied interest in the LSU job, though.
Riley has been at Oklahoma for five seasons, compiling a 55-10 record. The Sooners won the Big 12 in his first four seasons and he also has three College Football Playoff appearances to his name.
However, Oklahoma finished the 2021 season 10-2 with Saturday's loss to Oklahoma State and missed out on a chance to play in the Big 12 title game. The team also likely doesn't have chance to make the CFP this year.
In addition to Riley, LSU has also been linked to Louisiana's Billy Napier and Iowa State's Matt Campbell for their vacant head coaching job.
Bryan Harsin Says Auburn Plans to 'Recruit, Recruit, Recruit' After Loss to Alabama
Nov 28, 2021
Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin walks off the field after a 24-22 4-overtime loss to Alabama in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
The Auburn Tigers suffered a disappointing 24-22 4OT loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, and head coach Bryan Harsin is already looking ahead to 2022 with the mindset to "recruit, recruit, recruit."
"Is it frustrating? Yes," Harsin told reporters after the loss. "Are there reasons (for the losses)? Absolutely. ... Are we gonna take our ball and go home? Hell no. We're gonna work to build the program."
Harsin is in just his first season as head coach of the Tigers after seven seasons at Boise State, and his recruiting process should have a huge impact on the team moving forward.
Auburn has no commitments from any five-star prospects in the 2022 class and is toward the bottom of the SEC in recruiting for next year. However, the team had several talented four-star prospects in attendance at the Iron Bowl on Saturday, including wide receiver Isaiah Bond, linebacker Robert Woodyard, defensive lineman Khurrtis Perry and linebacker Shemar James.
According to 247Sports, Georgia, Alabama, Texas A&M and LSU have the top 2022 recruiting classes. Auburn ranks toward the bottom alongside Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Florida.
Auburn also has no recruits committed in the class of 2023 yet, per 247Sports. However, the team has made offers to Florida five-star running back Richard Young, Texas five-star running back Rueben Owens, Alabama four-star wide receiver Karmello English and Alabama five-star cornerback Jahlil Hurley.
Georgia, Arkansas and Texas A&M currently have the most commitments in the 2023 class.
Auburn hasn't found much success since 2011, when Cam Newton was at quarterback and led the team to a win in the national championship game. The most important thing for the school moving forward will be recruiting, but the outlook isn't great right now.
Nick Saban Says He'll Remember 2021 Iron Bowl Win for How Alabama Players Competed
Nov 28, 2021
AUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during pregame warmups prior to facing the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Alabama Crimson Tide pulled off a 24-22 4OT victory over Auburn in the Iron Bowl on Saturday, and head coach Nick Saban said the win is one he'll remember for a long time.
"Most of the time, I remember the ones we lose," Saban told reporters after the win. "But I think I'll remember this one for the way the players competed in the game."
Saban added, per Sports Illustrated: "It was a great comeback. There were many times we could have thrown in the towel. It's the feeling of being on a team, the togetherness, the trust they have in each other to got out at the end and win the game."
Alabama got out to a rough start against Auburn and failed to score a touchdown until the final seconds of regulation to push the game to overtime.
Once in OT, the Crimson Tide and Tigers traded field goals, touchdowns and two-point conversions before Auburn missed its final two-point attempt in 4OT while Alabama made its two-pointer to win the game.
Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young struggled in the first half but stepped up when it mattered most, finishing the game 25-of-51 passing for 317 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
However, Saban wouldn't play the blame for the team's struggles on Young, saying, "He wasn't getting much of a chance. Calm demeanor, kept telling everyone we're going to get this right."
Wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks also stepped up in the win after Jameson Williams was ejected for targeting, finishing the game with two catches for 49 yards and a score.
Saturday's win marked Alabama's second straight victory over Auburn in the Iron Bowl. The Crimson Tide are also 7-3 against the Tigers in the Iron Bowl, dating back to 2012.
Alabama moves on to face No. 1 Georgia in the SEC championship game on Dec. 4, while Auburn has to wait for their bowl game to be announced.
Bryce Young, No. 3 Alabama Avoid Auburn Upset Bid with 4OT Win in 2021 Iron Bowl
Nov 28, 2021
Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III (8) gets loose on a pass reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
The No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide escaped Jordan-Hare Stadium with a 24-22 four-overtime win over the unranked Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl on Saturday.
Auburn's dominant defense held the visitors without a touchdown for the first 59 minutes of the game, but Alabama quarterback Bryce Young led the Crimson Tide on a 12-play, 97-yard drive capped by a Ja'Corey Brooks 28-yard score with 24 seconds remaining. The PAT tied the game at 10:
The Tigers defense was sensational in defeat, with Derick Hall amassing three of Auburn's seven sacks. Alabama didn't score until Will Reichard hit a 30-yard field goal with 8:44 left in regulation.
Auburn's lone regulation touchdown was set up by a targeting penalty in punt coverage on Alabama wideout Jameson Williams, who was subsequently ejected.
The Tigers then went 39 yards in four plays capped by T.J. Finley's 15-yard pass to Kobe Hudson:
This was not a pretty game for Alabama, which didn't score for 51-plus minutes and failed to register a touchdown until the final half-minute of regulation.
The Crimson Tide defense came to play, though, holding Auburn to just 159 yards from scrimmage and 11 first downs.
That gave the Alabama offense a litany of chances to tie (and eventually win) this game, and the Crimson Tide finally took advantage on their very last regulation opportunity.
The final drive was the Young show, as he hit Metchie for 22 yards on a 3rd-and-10 from Alabama's own 3-yard line to get things going.
He later found Brooks for 21 yards and tight end Jahleel Billingsley for 14 before hitting the former player in stride for the touchdown.
That put the Alabama offense in a rhythm, which it sustained in the first OT. Young hit Metchie for 13 yards, and Trey Sanders added six more yards on the ground. On 3rd-and-4, Young found Slade Bolden up the middle for a six-yard touchdown:
Auburn matched Alabama when Finley found Landen King for a five-yard touchdown. The Tigers then notched a field goal in second OT, giving Alabama a chance at the tie or win. Alabama went three-and-out, leading to a field goal.
From there, it was the Young and Metchie show, with the two linking for two-point conversions in the third and fourth overtimes.
The latter score gave Alabama the win as the Crimson Tide likely earned the No. 2 spot in the next set of CFP rankings.
The Crimson Tide can breathe a sigh of relief, but they won't come close to beating the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC title game if they post a similar effort next Saturday.
However, the Crimson Tide have seven days to regroup and refocus as they look to win their conference and shock the No. 1 team in the nation.
Standout Performance from Auburn Defense
Regardless of the result, the Auburn defense put on the performance of a lifetime Saturday as the Tigers nearly pulled off a monumental upset.
The first three quarters were a masterclass in defensive efforts, to the point where Alabama was held scoreless for the first time since 2016:
The Tigers defense won the battle of the trenches led by Hall.
Auburn's pressures made significant impacts even when it didn't result in sacks, like when Young was forced into this interception by Bydarrius Knighten:
Auburn later forced a pair of turnover-on-downs. They benefitted from a mishandled snap on the first, but the Tigers defense got home so quickly that Young had no chance to recover:
Auburn's tired defense may have struggled in the final minutes of regulation and the overtime sessions, but who could blame the unit?
The Tigers were gassed after dominating the nation's No. 3 team for almost four quarters, and Alabama's talent came through in the end.
Any loss to Alabama is a tough one to swallow, but credit to Auburn for showing incredible fight against a potential national champion.
What's Next?
Alabama will play Georgia in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Auburn's regular season is over, but the Tigers are eligible for a bowl game. The latest bowl game projections from CBS Sports' Jerry Palm have the Tigers playing Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 28.
