In a surprising turn of events, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish athletic department sent an open message to LSU head coach Brian Kelly, asking why he turned down a lucrative deal reportedly worth $37.8 million. Kelly had been the head coach at Notre Dame for over a decade, transforming the program into a perennial contender and leading them to several major bowl games, including the College Football Playoff. But in late 2021, Kelly made the shocking decision to leave the Fighting Irish and take the helm at LSU, a move that sent shockwaves throughout the college football world.
At the time, Kelly’s departure came after discussions of an extension with Notre Dame, one that would have made him one of the highest-paid coaches in the sport. According to reports, the deal from Notre Dame, which was worth $37.8 million, was set to keep Kelly at the school for many more years. However, in an unexpected move, Kelly chose to leave the program, citing a desire for a new challenge and the opportunity to coach in the SEC, widely considered to be the most competitive conference in college football.
While Kelly’s departure was met with both support and criticism from fans and players alike, the open message from Notre Dame comes after new insights into the contract negotiations. The Notre Dame athletic department, in a statement, questioned why Kelly had declined such a substantial offer to stay, hinting that the financial aspect wasn’t the only factor at play in his decision. Many have speculated that the allure of coaching in the SEC and the chance to rebuild LSU’s program played a significant role in Kelly’s decision to leave.
In his response, Kelly has emphasized the importance of his decision to join LSU, citing the unique opportunity to recruit talent from a region rich with football tradition and the challenge of competing in the SEC. He maintained that his decision was not financially motivated, but driven by a desire for a new environment and the potential for growth at LSU.
While the conversation between Notre Dame and Kelly remains speculative, it highlights the complex world of college football coaching decisions, where loyalty, money, and ambition often collide in surprising ways.
