Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly left the program in 2021 to take over the LSU Tigers. However, he has declared his support for his former team as they prepare to face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Brian Kelly Is Rooting for Notre Dame In The National Championship
Despite the somewhat sour nature of his exit, Kelly’s connection to his old team remains strong. He expressed genuine excitement for the players and coaches currently leading Notre Dame, as they head to their first national championship appearance since 2013.
In an interview with CBS Sports, Kelly shared his thoughts on Notre Dame’s upcoming national championship game against Ohio State.
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“I’m happy for all those guys; I pull for them,” Kelly remarked. “A lot of the guys there that are on both sides of the ball, I recruited. Obviously, I want to see those guys win it all, and I think they’re in a great position. Totally excited for those guys.”
Brian Kelly was the face of Notre Dame football for over a decade, and during that time, he helped guide the team to new heights. Now, he could be seen as crediting himself as the reason behind the team’s success. After making two College Football Playoff appearances, Kelly’s exit from the program to join LSU created a stir.
Brian Kelly’s Legacy at Notre Dame
During his time at Notre Dame, Kelly built a program that was consistently competitive on the national stage. They made two College Football Playoff appearances but failed to reach the championship game both times, falling short in the semifinals.
However, Kelly’s tenure laid the foundation for the success that Notre Dame is now experiencing under current head coach Marcus Freeman.
Kelly’s 12 years at Notre Dame were marked with a record of 113-40. He brought the Fighting Irish into national relevance year after year. However, his overall record against top-five teams was a dismal 1-7.
After Kelly’s departure, many speculated about the future of Notre Dame football, especially in light of his move to LSU. Yet, under Freeman’s leadership, the team competed against top-five teams. Freeman has compiled a 3-2 record against such teams, including two victories in the College Football Playoff.
As Notre Dame prepares to face Ohio State in the national championship game, Kelly’s support for his former team is a reminder of the long-standing connection between coach and program.
Despite the outside noise and backlash that Kelly faced for leaving Notre Dame, his decision to join LSU ultimately helped set the stage for the team’s current success.
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