Brian Kelly reveals what he's learned since taking over at LSU

When Brian Kelly took the LSU job, there were questions about how he’d fit in at LSU culturally. As a Massachusetts native who had spent nearly four decades coaching in the Midwest, going to the SEC seemed like it would be a big culture shock for Kelly. Mistakes, like using a fake southern accent, have only exacerbated that narrative.

Now, Brian Kelly has opened up and revealed what he’s learned about the program and SEC since taking over at LSU.

“I think it’s recruiting,” Brian Kelly said. “I think you start understanding recruiting is 24/7. I mean it is every single day. There’s not a day off. I FaceTimed three kids already. It’s total immersion. And you know what? I don’t mind it because it’s a little bit different because you’re in it earlier and you’re talking to them earlier in this phase. My home is point-zero-eight miles from campus and it’s intentional, because you get unofficial visits. So that whole process is a little different, but you’re in it differently from that standpoint. It’s all in, so it’s been fun.”

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Recruiting is something that Brian Kelly was criticized for at Notre Dame. Many people felt he was too hands-off in recruiting. Recruits often said that they had very little contact with Kelly while he was at Notre Dame and four-star quarterback CJ Carr even said that he wouldn’t have committed to Notre Dame if Brian Kelly was still there.

The strategy for recruiting is very different at Notre Dame and LSU. Notre Dame has a pipeline from Catholic schools and prep academies around the country. Meanwhile, there are fewer benefits to being a student-athlete at Notre Dame than at other premier football schools. At LSU, it’s imperative you dominate recruiting in Louisiana and compete in a facilities arms race. Brian Kelly needs to adjust to these differences.

Under new head coach Marcus Freeman, who takes a more proactive approach to recruiting. Now, Notre Dame has the top recruiting class in 2023. LSU isn’t far behind and there is plenty of time for those rankings to change.

It’s good for Brian Kelly that he was able to identify this major difference in how LSU and Notre Dame operate. In the SEC, if you don’t recruit at an elite level, it can cost you your job. If you do, however, you will be a national champion.