Brian Kelly sends well wishes to WGNO Sports Director Ed Daniels after medical emergency

Brian Kelly isn’t only making an impact on the gridiron but in his community too. On Thursday, the LSU head coach sent his kindest regards to WGNO sports director Ed Daniels, who suffered a medical emergency last week.

“One guy I don’t see here today is Ed Daniels and I’d like to pass on our heartfelt sympathies to the family,” Kelly said after LSU’s first fall practice. “Ed’s still in serious condition and our thoughts are with him and the family, hoping for a recovery from the tragedy that he’s going through. So, wish him the best and the family, and hope for a speedy recovery and hope to see him back here this fall.”

On Wednesday, hundreds of Louisiana natives gathered to pray the rosary for Daniels at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. Daniels is a local legend in the New Orleans area and has provided sports coverage at WGNO for 32 years.

Specifically, Daniels is known for his Friday Night Football segment, which focuses on high school athletes around the bayou. Daniels is currently hospitalized in California, where he’d traveled to cover the New Orleans Saints.

Brian Kelly excited to begin the 2024 campaign

Media members should have no shortage of stories covering the LSU Tigers in the upcoming season. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will look to fill the void left by 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels.

Returners Kaleb Jackson and Josh Williams will provide support in the backfield, while transfers CJ Daniels and Zavion Thomas will aim to give opposing defenses headaches out wide.

Linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. will be the nucleus of LSU’s defense. Meanwhile, EDGE Bradyn Swinson will hold down LSU’s defensive front and safety Sage Ryan will anchor the Tigers’ secondary. Kelly is confident in his team.

“The 2024 football team at LSU is one that — as we go into Year 3 — has been built on accountability and trust, but it’s been built knowing that we have to be able to play much more balanced football,” Kelly said at SEC Media Days. “We had obviously a record-setting offense last year, but we didn’t play to the standard that we needed to play at times defensively.

“Certainly, that will be the goal this year, to play the kind of offense and defense and special teams that complements each other. So the challenge this year for us going into the off-season was to make the kind of strides that bring our defense up to the standard necessary to play for a championship. We feel like we’ve done that.”