Notre Dame's Brian Kelly Bolts For Greener (And Richer) Pastures

CHICAGO – Not that long ago, Brian Kelly was committed to Notre Dame football, saying it would take a fairy godmother and a $250 million check to sway him away from South Bend where the mantra is “God, Country, Notre Dame.”

Now, with the Irish seemingly on the brink of a spot in the College Football Playoff, Kelly has changed his tune after LSU agreed to pay him $95 million over 10 years to lure the winningest coach in Notre Dame history to the Bayou.

From “God, Country, Notre Dame” to “Money, money, money and pass the gumbo.”

Brian Kelly’s move to Louisiana State went official onTuesday after news broke Monday night that the 60-year-old Irish coach was leaving a job not that long ago he said he wouldn’t leave of his own volition unless that magical $250 million check showed up.

LSU confirmed it had hired Kelly on Tuesday saying it had hired Kelly to replace Ed Orgeron, who announced earlier this year that this season would be his last in Baton Rouge. But the official notification came long after Kelly sent a text message to his players Monday night, announcing he is indeed leaving Notre Dame.

In the text, Kelly — who was out recruiting for Notre Dame when the news of his departure leaked — apologized for texting so late and apologized for the fact his players learned of the news through news reports or via social media. With the cat out the bag, Kelly had no idea but to try to let his players down easy despite the fact the news of the break-up had undoubtedly reached them.

“I am flying back to Notre Dame 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,” the text said.

He continued: “For now, please know 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 I know will continue.”

The old, “it’s not you, it’s me” break-up routine seems to be a favorite for a coach who had always pledged his loyalty to Notre Dame, being the good, Irish Catholic he is. But the truth is, coaching college football – like anything – is a money and the truth is, money talks. But given Kelly's track record of winning everywhere he has been, from Grand Valley State, to Central Michigan to Cincinnati to Notre Dame, this had to be about more than money.

Perhaps, Kelly felt the need for a new challenge. Taking a shot at the Southeastern Conference where trying to knock schools like Alabama and Georgia from the top of the college football mountain top is always a challenge. The timing, of course, is interesting considering Notre Dame is 11-1 and has a legitimate chance to make the College Football Playoff, especially if Georgia hands the Crimson Tide their second loss of the season in this weekend's SEC championship and if a couple of other pieces fall into place.

But now, even if the Irish do make their second straight CFP, Kelly won't be the one trying to move them closer to a national championship. Not anymore. And that makes the timing of Kelly's departure even more intriguing if not head-scratching.

"I could not be more excited to join a program with the commitment to excellence, rich traditions, and unrivaled pride and passion of LSU Football," Kelly said in a statement released by the LSU. "I am fully committed to recruiting, developing, and graduating elite student-athletes, winning championships, and working together with our administration to make Louisiana proud. Our potential is unlimited, and I cannot wait to call Baton Rouge home."

Notre Dame’s top target is likely to be Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell, who himself is in the midst of a run at the College Football Playoff. That makes for an interesting challenge for Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick, who told reporters on Tuesday morning that he had no idea Kelly was having conversations with other universities about other jobs.

Perhaps, Kelly’s comment that it would take a $250 million check his wife would have to check out first threw his bosses off the scent that Kelly was looking to leave South Bend. But either way, Kelly’s abrupt move leaves what was to be a top recruiting class in limbo and leaves his team to deal with the fact that their coach broke up with them over a text message.

Kelly will be officially introduced as LSU’s coach at a news conference on Wednesday. Now with $95 million reasons to commit himself to a new challenge, Kelly will take all of his winning and his two College Football Playoff appearances in 2018 and 2020 and a spot in the 2012 BCS National championship to Baton Rouge where a Southern fairy godmother waved her magic wand and uprooted Kelly from a job he swore he’d never leave on his own.

Money talks, even if it's not quite $250 million.