The college football world was already losing its collective mind Monday afternoon as Lincoln Riley was getting set to be introduced as USC’s new head coach after leaving Oklahoma just a day before.
Then reports of LSU being in pursuit of Brian Kelly began to circulate.
And then reports that Brian Kelly was taking the LSU job came through.
It’s a night Notre Dame fans won’t soon forget and leaves everyone with more questions than answers.
Now imagine being a Notre Dame player and finding out your head coach is leaving while you could quite possibly be headed to the College Football Playoff in a matter of days.
Here is how Notre Dame players from the past and present reacted to the stunning Kelly news:
Braden Lenzy, current WR:
And get money Kelly did…
Jonas Gray, former Notre Dame running back
Gray played for Notre Dame from 2008-2011, those last two years under Brian Kelly.
Cam McDaniel, former Notre Dame running back
Kelly leaves Notre Dame as the winningest coach in program history
Troy Pride, Jr. – former Notre Dame cornerback and current Carolina Panther
We’ve seen largely positive reaction from those close to the program but Pride gives offers a thought from the other side.
Isaiah Foskey, current star defender:
Wild is perhaps putting it mildly but one of Notre Dame’s best players puts a strong perspective on how he views the news
Former kicker Kyle Brindza
Much easier said than done but understandable thinking
Howard Cross, III, current defensive tackle:
To quote Bon Jovi: “It’s all the same, only the names have changed…”
Kyren Williams, current running back:
that’s accurate
Chris Finke, former walk-on WR/captain:
Finke certainly isn’t alone
Blake Fisher, freshman offensive lineman:
Fisher was Notre Dame’s top recruit in the 2021 class and was just the second true freshman to ever start at offensive tackle…
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