Brian Kelly comments publicly for first time following LSU hire

The LSU Tigers have officially hired Brian Kelly away from Notre Dame. LSU gave Kelly a ten-year contract that will pay him $95 million plus incentives. Kelly is set to be formally introduced at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday afternoon. In LSU’s release, Kelly and LSU athletic director Scott Woodward publicly commented for the first time on the hiring.

“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,” Kelly said in LSU’s release. “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 leaves Notre Dame as the team’s all-time winningest coach. He had a career 113-40 record with the Fighting Irish, including an 11-1 year this season and a 54-9 record over the last five years. Kelly led Notre Dame to a strong season this year, and the Irish are seemingly in the thick of the race for the College Football Playoff. Notre Dame needs some help for that to become a reality, but it’s not out of the question. If that was to happen, the Irish will be without the head coach that led them to that point.

Kelly replaces Ed Orgeron at LSU

Ed Orgeron won a national championship as LSU’s head coach in 2019, leading the Tigers to an undefeated season. But after an 11-11 record over the last two years, a change was made. Orgeron coached to a 51-20 record while at LSU.

LSU athletic director Scott Woodward also commented on the hiring of Kelly. He is happy to be adding a “winner” to LSU’s program.

“Brian Kelly is the epitome of a winner,” Woodward said in LSU’s release. “He has built and sustained success at every program he’s led, from multiple undefeated regular seasons and National Coach of the Year honors to national titles and College Football Playoff berths. His credentials and consistency speak for themselves.

“Most importantly, Coach Kelly’s players and programs exemplify excellence in all aspects of the student-athlete experience – in competition, in the classroom, and throughout the community – and he shares our values and vision for elevating our university and our state. We’re thrilled to welcome him and his family to Baton Rouge, and we are excited to work with him as we add to the championship legacy of LSU Football.”