Dick Vitale hammers Brian Kelly for leaving Notre Dame for LSU

LSU shocked the nation on Monday night when it was announced that Brian Kelly would be leaving Notre Dame to take the head coaching position for the Tigers. Kelly has coached 12 seasons for Notre Dame, where he turned the program into one of the most consistent across college football.

The news of Kelly departing for LSU was wildly unexpected, and it especially shocked ESPN analyst Dick Vitale. Vitale tweeted a message late in the night, expressing his disbelief with how the Kelly situation went down.

“Wake me up I have had a tough 24 hours is there any truth Brian Kelly is leaving (Notre Dame)? Tell me he had at least the decency to let his coaches and players know before the media,” Vitale tweeted. “He’s too classy to leave them without some hugs for making him the winningest coach in ND history.”

Kelly coached to a 92-39 overall record with the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame is 11-1 this season and has an outside shot at making it to the College Football Playoff. Kelly has been to two CFP semifinals and also appeared in the 2012 national championship with Notre Dame. Now, Kelly heads to an LSU team that went 6-6 this season and that just fired head coach Ed Orgeron less than two seasons after he led the Tigers to an undefeated, national championship winning season.

Players, staff, learned of Kelly leaving for LSU through social media

As the Kelly news shocked everyone across the nation, it also came as a surprise to current Notre Dame players, coaches, and recruits. One assistant coach was on a recruiting visit to a player’s house just as the news broke. As he left the recruit’s house, the news of Kelly leaving for LSU broke.

“The news broke when I walked out of the house, so I look like a f—– a–hole,” he said.

Kelly did share a message Monday night with his players and staff at Notre Dame, addressing the LSU situation. He will meet with Notre Dame on Tuesday morning.

“Men… Let me first apologize for the late night text and, more importantly, for not being able to share the news with you in person that I will be leaving Notre Dame,” read Kelly’s message. “I am flying back to South Bend tonight to be able to meet with you in the morning but the news broke late today and I am sorry you found out through social media or news reports.

“I will have more to share when we meet tomorrow at 7 a.m. but for now, just know that my love for you is limitless and I am so proud of all that you have accomplished. Our program is elite because of your hard work and commitment and I know that will continue. I will share more in the morning when we meet. Again, my sincere apologies for not being able to be the one to share the news directly with you. Coach Kelly.”