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Brian Kelly opens up on biggest changes in job change from Notre Dame to LSU

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•03/09/23•

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(Photo courtesy of Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

For 11 years, Brian Kelly coached an independent football program at Notre Dame. That, naturally, meant a jump when he headed to the SEC to coach LSU, especially in terms of recruiting.

It seems Kelly handled that change just fine, as he told On3’s J.D. PicKell.

Kelly spoke highly of how he’s adapted to the new recruiting landscape in the SEC. Rather than recruit nationally as he did at Notre Dame, he’s locking in on the state of Louisiana. That means he’s not traveling as much and, as a result, allows him to cultivate relationships faster than before.

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“I think the process is very similar in terms of, you know, building habits and consistency and the way we do things,” Kelly said. “Recruiting is totally different down here in the sense that, you know, you’re much more engaged from the very beginning, which I love, right? I mean, I’ve had everybody over my house. I’m less than a mile from campus. I’m not in a plane, you know, half the year. A long trip for me is up to Ruston, and that’s a lot different than having to be on the West Coast and then, LA and then, New Jersey and Texas. That’s a hard, hard road.

“And so, you really get to build stronger relationships with the coaches, especially in the state of Louisiana because you’re going to be in that school every single year and you build that relationship. So, recruiting is different from that perspective. And I think you can build stronger relationships and a trust factor that allows you to get that young man to come to LSU.”

Kelly and LSU brought in the nation’s No. 5-ranked recruiting class this year, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. The group was headlined by five-star offensive lineman Zalance Heard — the No. 4-ranked prospect in the state of Louisiana, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.