New broke Monday evening that Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was leaving the program after nearly 12 full seasons to take the LSU Tigers’ job.
It was a shocking culmination to what has been a pretty darn successful run for Kelly in South Bend. Now, it has apparently turned ugly.
The ugliness started late Monday evening when Brian Kelly sent a text to his now-former Notre Dame players announcing that he was leaving the program effective immediately.
Said text came after the players found out via social media that the individual who recruited them to Indiana was cutting and running.
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“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. 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.”
Brian Kelly in text to Notre Dame players
How did Brian Kelly’s meeting with Notre Dame players go?
Well, it apparently lasted two minutes with Kelly not even answering a single question from his now-former players.
“Multiple sources indicated that Brian Kelly’s address to the team on Tuesday morning lasted less than two minutes, then he turned around and walked out. He did not take questions from the players,” Pete Sampson of The Athletic noted.
There has to be a certain feeling among Notre Dame players that Kelly betrayed them. It’s not about him leaving for another top-notch program. Rather, it’s all about the way he left South Bend.
The Irish sit at 11-1 on the season and could very well be headed to their third College Football Playoff appearance in four seasons. For a longtime head coach to leave in this manner without any further explanation and following a two-minute meeting can’t sit well with these players.
