Dick Vitale provides cancer update, jokes about Brian Kelly move

Legendary college basketball figure Dick Vitale shared good news with his fans on Monday, while chiming in on the news that Brian Kelly was headed to LSU. Vitale has been undergoing treatments after being diagnosed with two separate forms of cancer, including chemotherapy that he recently underwent.

Dick Vitale on his treatment and Brian Kelly

“Just got my report that my medical team are very pleased with the report of the PET SCAN,” wrote Vitale on his Twitter post. “They claimed that the chemotherapy has thus far been successful. I believe your [prayers] have helped. Now with news Brian Kelly is heading to LSU – I now need a good cardiologist! Ha ha.”

Vitale’s update is a welcome one after he announced earlier this year that he had been been diagnosed with a second form of cancer so soon after his melanoma diagnosis. Vitale received his lymphoma diagnosis after successful surgeries as part of his melanoma treatments.

“The plan is to treat my lymphoma with steroids and six months of chemotherapy,” Dick Vitale previously wrote in a letter on ESPN explaining his treatments. “The medical experts tell me it has a 90% cure rate. They say I can continue to work so I will have to manage my work schedule around my chemo schedule as they will monitor my test results along the way.”

“I will fight with all my heart in dealing with the chemo.”

Vitale’s treatment went well enough to get him back onto the college basketball court, and he was able to work on the television broadcast of Gonzaga versus UCLA. After his tearful return to his passion, he expressed his thanks to his fans for their prayers and support.

Vitale got a chance to repeat that love in his message on Monday, while celebrating the crazy night of college sports as he loves to do.

Brian Kelly’s message to Notre Dame’s players

“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 first message to the team since reports revealed his new job. “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.”

Kelly’s message to his team appears to be the first official confirmation that Kelly is indeed the next head coach of LSU. While rumors circulated most of Monday, Kelly addressed his team via their team’s communication system while not physically in South Bend.

Notre Dame will have a team meeting Tuesday morning, where Kelly is likely to announce his official decision to the program.