Brian Kelly addresses fiery postgame table pounding after USC loss: 'I want these kids to win'

After LSU‘s 27-20 loss to No. 23 USC on Sunday, Tigers head coach Brian Kelly made headlines when he slammed his fist down on the table in frustration during the postgame press conference. During an appearance on “The Paul Finebaum Show,” Kelly explained his actions during the heated moment.

“There was the emotion of the game coming out,” Kelly said. “The frustration and the anger that these kids can’t get a break because they’re working so hard to break through and they weren’t able to break through. That that was really, in a nutshell, what that was about.”

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After Kelly’s brief explanation, Finebaum poked fun at the 62-year-old head coach, pointing out there wasn’t a cast on Kelly’s hand, so he could assume it wasn’t broken. To Kelly’s credit, he played along with Finebaum, making light of the incident.

“Listen, I’m not strong enough to create enough momentum to break a pane of glass,” Kelly said. “Again, all I will tell you is that I want these kids to win. We put our heart and soul into it, and I know how hard they’re working. I don’t want them to be perceived as kids that don’t care. They care so much.”

Brian Kelly was HEATED after tonight's loss pic.twitter.com/lw3bK85YzB

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Kelly’s frustration is understandable. The loss was LSU’s third straight in a season-opener under him and fifth straight as a program. However, many expected LSU to avoid this pitfall this season, with new defensive coordinator Blake Baker on the staff.

Nonetheless, the Tigers were unable to start their season on a high note. Kelly’s comments to Finebaum only echoed the statement that brought his frustration to the surface on Sunday evening.

“That’s what I said to the team. We had some guys play their butts off tonight and we’re sitting here again – we’re sitting here again talking about the same things!” Kelly said as he slammed the table. “About not finishing when you have an opponent in a position to put them away. But what we’re doing on the sideline is feeling like the game is over.

“I’m so angry about it that I’ve got to do something about it. I’m not doing a good enough job as a coach,” said Kelly. “I’ve got to coach them better because it’s unacceptable for us not to have found a way to win this football game. It’s ridiculous. It’s crazy.”

LSU will have a chance to bounce back on Saturday when it squares off against Nicholls at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.