The LSU Tigers HC Brian Kelly must have gone on a guilt trip. After all, maybe he was supposed to be in the place where Notre Dame Fighting Irish HC Marcus Freeman is now. Kelly’s former team is just one step away from bagging the National Title. But it’s high time he stops thinking about the chances that have already slipped away from his hands. Instead, he must channel his focus to what he still has. Now it’s a do-or-die situation for Kelly as the SEC insider gave him an ultimatum.

Well, this season has been ups and downs for Kelly. After all, they did feel that momentary pride after recruiting the No.1 recruit Bryce Underwood. However, their happiness was short-lived. Within weeks, Michigan Wolverines HC Sherrone Moore snatched away the recruit. However, Kelly should not be pestering about the loss. He has so many things on his plate.

As USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer stated, “Within the SEC, the moment ripens for an LSU revolution.” Naturally, Kelly will now have to make the most out of his recruiting talents to fill several roster holes, safety, tight end, and offensive line. Amidst this, he is already bearing the blows from the Notre Dame fans for leaving the Fighting Irish when they needed him the most.

As Paul Finebaum stated, “I know for the next seven days Brian Kelly will be sitting in timeout as Notre Dame fans punch at the pinata.” However, SEC insider Michael Bratton is hopeful about their next season being a big hit. But why so?

Well, Bratton is counting on Kelly’s recruiting skills. The Tigers have hauled nine top-100 transfers in the portal. That doesn’t mean that the HC can take a rest. As Bratton claimed, “I hear that Brian Kelly’s he’s a big golfer in the offseason. I would recommend don’t hit the course one time. I mean he needs to spend all his hours working on improving his LSU team.”

This is no time for a laid-back approach. With time running out in Baton Rouge, Kelly must seize the opportunity to prove himself before it’s too late. So according to the SEC insider, it’s the last chance for the HC. “Hopefully Notre Dame making it all the way to the championship inspires Brian Kelly. If they don’t get it done next season, I don’t think they’re ever going to get it done.” In case, Kelly fails to prove himself, fans will agree with what Bratton thinks. “Maybe they hired the wrong Notre Dame coach,” the insider stated bluntly. However, there is one catalyst in Baton Rouge that might fuel the fire of redemption within Kelly. 

LSU weapon’s return likely to light up the revenge fire within Brian Kelly

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Yes, Kelly might be angry with the God of Luck for taking the exit from Notre Dame. His words might be making a comeback to haunt him. College football fans still remember word-by-word what excuse the HC gave while cutting ties with the Fighting Irish in 2022. He said, “I want to be in an environment where I have the resources to win a national championship.” Now this came off as too hurtful from someone who coached the program for 11 long years from 2010 to 2021.

Paul Finebaum did not shy away from pointing out the irony. He commented, “And here is Marcus Freeman, who was his assistant briefly, and he’s now brought this team back and so much credit to him and amazing staff.” Kelly’s record at LSU pales in comparison; while he took Notre Dame to the College Football Playoffs twice, he has yet to achieve similar success with the Tigers.

But this time Brian Kelly will have to change the narrative. After all, his QB Garrett Nussmeier has made a huge sacrifice. He has made a return to LSU, even though the plan was to move out of Baton Rouge with his sweetheart Ella Springfield. His commitment symbolizes a pivotal opportunity for Kelly to rewrite his narrative. Analysts like Crawford are cautiously optimistic, placing LSU at No. 10 in their 2025 “Way-Too-Early Top 25” rankings.

For Kelly, this season isn’t just about achieving a championship—it’s about validating his decision to leave Notre Dame. As the clock ticks, Kelly must leverage every resource and inspire his team to reach the heights that have so far eluded him. If he falls short, as Bratton bluntly suggested, fans may conclude that LSU “hired the wrong Notre Dame coach.” Let’s see whether Kelly can attract the good juju that Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame have this season.