Brian Kelly Revisited (RIP BOZO)

[HouseofPain]

He's finished #6 and #7 in 247 Composite and currently has an average player rating of nearly 94 on 12 recruits with three 5-stars here in 2025

Its been like almost three years since the breakup, time to let go

But it isnt because they are getting paid. The 5 stars just want to be at LSU and be coached under BK.

 

[irishff1014]

Isd posted pictures on their instagram and the last one was BK leaving for LSU and Kyren Williams commented that last picture with the crying laughing faces. Lol

 

[stlnd01]

He's finished #6 and #7 in 247 Composite and currently has an average player rating of nearly 94 on 12 recruits with three 5-stars here in 2025

Its been like almost three years since the breakup, time to let go

And, as discussed, LSU basically recruits itself. Which is a big reason why he went there to begin with.
Whatever. Like you said, it's been three years. And three years in it looks like BK's LSU program will be a lot like BK's Notre Dame program. Very good, but not quite good enough.

 

[Irish#1]

Its been like almost three years since the breakup, time to let go

No!

 

[irish4ever]

He's finished #6 and #7 in 247 Composite and currently has an average player rating of nearly 94 on 12 recruits with three 5-stars here in 2025

Its been like almost three years since the breakup, time to let go

No way, Krian Belly will forever suck in the eyes of the Irish faithful for his sneaky backpedaling way of getting out of South Bend. That fake bastard!

 

[Irish du Nord]

He's finished #6 and #7 in 247 Composite and currently has an average player rating of nearly 94 on 12 recruits with three 5-stars here in 2025

Its been like almost three years since the breakup, time to let go

There were posters on this board having tantrums over how poor Willingham was as a recruiter a month ago. This isn’t going to happen.

 

[Hautian Domer]

"Selling something differently"? Didn't know you could use that line at LSU. lol

This. What does LSU have that’s different from its peers (Alabama, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and the other SECs). I HATE how purple face never takes ownership and “politics” his answers. Just say that you were not willing to get into a bidding war or the other schools were willing to pay more. Stop wrestling with the question and answer it, truthfully. But, I may be in the minority, I guess I’m appreciative for what purple face accomplished at Notre Dame. I was really put out with him in that 2014-2016 stretch and his clandestine ways of trying to sneak out of Notre Dame (NFL, USC), but I appreciate that he elevated the program to that next level. He did bring us to that tier just outside of the elites (Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia). I mean, I suffered a long time through the Davie, Willingham, and Weis eras, and I do appreciate his team’s accomplishments, albeit dealing with him and his inconsistencies. He maxed out and reached his capacity as a coach here, not Notre Dame’s ceiling or capacity. It was a good move for all of us as the relationship ran its course, but he didn’t have to sling mud at ND though (facilities, recruiting). MF has already proven that isn’t true, and we’re in a much better place now.

 

[Irish#1]

This. What does LSU have that’s different from its peers (Alabama, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and the other SECs). I HATE how pure face never takes ownership and “politics” his answers. Just say that you were not willing to get into a bidding war or the other were willing to pay more. Stop wrestling with the question and answer it, truthfully. But, I may be in the minority, I guess I’m appreciative for what purple face accomplished at Notre Dame. I was really put out with him in that 2014-2016 stretch and his clandestine ways of trying to sneak out of Notre Dame (NFL, USC), but I appreciate that he elevated the program to that next level. He did bring us to that tier just outside of the elites (Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia). I mean, I suffered a long time through the Davie, Willingham, and Weis eras, and I do appreciate his team’s accomplishments, albeit dealing with him and his inconsistencies. He maxed out and reached his capacity as a coach here, not Notre Dame’s ceiling or capacity. It was a good move for all of us as the relationship ran its course, but he didn’t have to sling mud at ND though (facilities, recruiting). MF has already proven that isn’t true, and we’re in a much better place now.

I think most appreciate what Kelly did in getting the program back. I think you're right in that he hit his ceiling as evident by what MF is getting accomplished. Kelly is an above average salesman that can regularly close on the average deals because he sells the facts, where MF is able to close on the big deals because he can sell the facts and relate on a personal level.

 

[Katzenboyer]

He's finished #6 and #7 in 247 Composite and currently has an average player rating of nearly 94 on 12 recruits with three 5-stars here in 2025

Its been like almost three years since the breakup, time to let go

Not sure where the "time to let it go" comment comes from, since I acknowledged he's a terrific football coach.

But to your rankings point, according to Rivals he had the #6 class in 2023 (with a 3.8 rankings average), and the #11 class in 2024 with a 3.57 average ranking. Ed O's last two full classes at LSU were ranked #3 (with a 3.67 average ranking), and #4 (with a 3.83 average ranking). Pretty clearly a step back.

And while this isn't meant to be a comparison with Freeman, CMF's classes at ND have been ranked #11 (with a 3.83 rankings average), and #9 (with a 3.83 rankings average). So one higher ranked class last year, with both of his classes having a higher rankings average than Kelly's LSU classes.

All this to say is that 1) Brian Kelly is a terrific coach who did great things for ND; but 2) his recruiting efforts can leave something to be desired. Those two opinions are not mutually exclusive, and none of this involves "butthurt" or whatever the hell point you were trying to make in your post.

 

[Hautian Domer]

I think we can all come together and agree that the biggest "thank you" we can give to purple face is that we most likely wouldn't have Freeman leading the ship without him. Kelly has his faults, but he did convince/recruit Freeman to Notre Dame over LSU.

Like I said in my post above, "It (Kelly leaving) was a good move for all of us as the relationship ran its course ... and we’re in a much better place now."

 

[a mike]

But to your rankings point, according to Rivals he had the #6 class in 2023 (with a 3.8 rankings average), and the #11 class in 2024 with a 3.57 average ranking.

Lol you're not slick with the cherry picking switch over to Rivals because they happened to have his 2024 class at #11. Epecially when I had already cited he finished #7 in the 247 Composite for 2024. Why the arbitrary shuffling around?

He's a terrific head football coach. But in order to win the natty, he's going to need to recruit on the level of Kirby, Saban, and dare I say Ed O. recruit/recruited.

And this is where I know you're just doing lazy fantasy storytelling and not actually looking into anything

Ed O first full class at LSU finished #7 in 247 Composite in 2017 and his second #15 in 2018. This was coming off the back of his predecessors #2 ranked class in 2016. Which then paired with the #5 ranked class in 2019. Which then we all know how the 2019 season went for LSU

So if Kelly pairs his #6 and #7 first two classes with his predecessors last two top 5 classes you had mentioned--along with what will inevitably be a top 5 class this year--seems like things will shape up for him even a bit better than what Ed O was working with to win it in 2019?

You just thought it'd sound like something cool to say before you threw in the corny and tired "shopping down a different isle" comment

I'm not sure he can do that.

Totally tone deaf thing to say with the way LSU recruiting is trending right now. Again, you just come off as not really knowing/paying attention to what's actually happening and living in this fantasy world where Kelly isn't recruiting well at LSU

whatever the hell point you were trying to make in your post.

My point was you were coming off as a jilted ex-girlfriend to the LSU fan telling him his coach isn't a good recruiter when he had just signed a #6 and #7 class and was working on putting together most likely a current top 3 class at worst

I know you believe throwing in some qualifier comment like "he's a terrific coach but" makes you think you appear objective/level-headed but unfortunately you're still coming off as being on a Kelly Kope

The frantically shuffling around the recruiting services, the lame beside the point comparison to what Freeman is doing (I know its not a comparison but...), even bothering to comment a couple times about him on a message board, and the fact you got so triggered by me implying you're on a Kelly Kope only reveals further you're on a Kelly Kope

I know Kelly is just a Big Meanie that deserted our lads on the battlefield and you knew "all along" he was this terrible human being and lazy recruiter but....eventually time heals all wounds

Plus, now ND has Freeman and he's like a wayyyyyyyyy better recruiter than Kelly ever was and also just like a wayyyyyyyyy better human being

So since we're in such a better spot now and we're totally not still on a cope about getting dumped by our ex....

I beg you, all of you, to just---

 

[Calabrese's People]

 

[T-Boone]

View attachment 3055684

That’s a cross between Brian Driskell and Proposition Joe.

 

[Irish#1]

Lol you're not slick with the cherry picking switch over to Rivals because they happened to have his 2024 class at #11. Epecially when I had already cited he finished #7 in the 247 Composite for 2024. Why the arbitrary shuffling around?


And this is where I know you're just doing lazy fantasy storytelling and not actually looking into anything

Ed O first full class at LSU finished #7 in 247 Composite in 2017 and his second #15 in 2018. This was coming off the back of his predecessors #2 ranked class in 2016. Which then paired with the #5 ranked class in 2019. Which then we all know how the 2019 season went for LSU

So if Kelly pairs his #6 and #7 first two classes with his predecessors last two top 5 classes you had mentioned--along with what will inevitably be a top 5 class this year--seems like things will shape up for him even a bit better than what Ed O was working with to win it in 2019?

You just thought it'd sound like something cool to say before you threw in the corny and tired "shopping down a different isle" comment


Totally tone deaf thing to say with the way LSU recruiting is trending right now. Again, you just come off as not really knowing/paying attention to what's actually happening and living in this fantasy world where Kelly isn't recruiting well at LSU


My point was you were coming off as a jilted ex-girlfriend to the LSU fan telling him his coach isn't a good recruiter when he had just signed a #6 and #7 class and was working on putting together most likely a current top 3 class at worst

I know you believe throwing in some qualifier comment like "he's a terrific coach but" makes you think you appear objective/level-headed but unfortunately you're still coming off as being on a Kelly Kope

The frantically shuffling around the recruiting services, the lame beside the point comparison to what Freeman is doing (I know its not a comparison but...), even bothering to comment a couple times about him on a message board, and the fact you got so triggered by me implying you're on a Kelly Kope only reveals further you're on a Kelly Kope

I know Kelly is just a Big Meanie that deserted our lads on the battlefield and you knew "all along" he was this terrible human being and lazy recruiter but....eventually time heals all wounds

Plus, now ND has Freeman and he's like a wayyyyyyyyy better recruiter than Kelly ever was and also just like a wayyyyyyyyy better human being

So since we're in such a better spot now and we're totally not still on a cope about getting dumped by our ex....

I beg you, all of you, to just---

View attachment 3055683

No need to get so emotional about it. lol

 

[Katzenboyer]

I know Kelly is just a Big Meanie that deserted our lads on the battlefield and you knew "all along" he was this terrible human being and lazy recruiter but....eventually time heals all wounds

Plus, now ND has Freeman and he's like a wayyyyyyyyy better recruiter than Kelly ever was and also just like a wayyyyyyyyy better human being

So since we're in such a better spot now and we're totally not still on a cope about getting dumped by our ex....



View attachment 3055683

Apologies, Mrs. Kelly. Didn't mean to ruffle your husband's feathers.

First off, it's a weird tactic to tell people to "let it go" and then post breathlessly about BK in the same thread. But I digress.

Lol you're not slick with the cherry picking switch over to Rivals because they happened to have his 2024 class at #11. Epecially when I had already cited he finished #7 in the 247 Composite for 2024. Why the arbitrary shuffling around?

I prefer Rivals' rankings. Nothing arbitrary about using a major site for recruiting, but if you want to do things on your terms, let's take a look at the rankings.

Ed O (per 247):
2020 Class: Ranked #4, 93.39 average star ranking.
2021 Class: Ranked #3, 92.89 average star ranking.

Brian Kelly:
2023 Class: Ranked #6, 91.83 average star ranking.
2024 Class: Ranked #7, 90.82 average star ranking.

By any measure, BK's classes have ranked below Ed O's final two full classes, either by class rank or average star ranking, per the 247 Composite. Facts matter!

In addition, MF's class - while ranked lower - all have an average star ranking on par with BK's LSU classes, despite BK's constant refrain that ND needs to "shop down a different aisle."

Marcus Freeman:
2023 Class: Ranked #12, 91.77 average star ranking.
2024 Class: Ranked #9, 91.46 average star ranking.

The 247 composite shows that MF, at minimum, is recruiting at the same level BK is recruiting at LSU. And we can all agree that LSU should be pulling in far better classes on a year-by-year basis, right?

And this is where I know you're just doing lazy fantasy storytelling and not actually looking into anything

Ed O first full class at LSU finished #7 in 247 Composite in 2017 and his second #15 in 2018. This was coming off the back of his predecessors #2 ranked class in 2016. Which then paired with the #5 ranked class in 2019. Which then we all know how the 2019 season went for LSU

I compared Ed O's two classes because 1) Ed O is by no means the same level of head coach that Kelly is, but shows you how it can be pretty easy to win at LSU despite those shortcomings, and 2) because it's reflective of the talent that LSU was bringing in immediately prior to BK's arrival. It has nothing to do with the "first classes" as comparators; the point was that LSU recruits itself, even when the HC's actual abilities leave something to be desired.

So if Kelly pairs his #6 and #7 first two classes with his predecessors last two top 5 classes you had mentioned--along with what will inevitably be a top 5 class this year--seems like things will shape up for him even a bit better than what Ed O was working with to win it in 2019?

Sure. If Kelly can turn around the defense, and if Kelly can replace the Heisman-winning QB, and if Kelly has a massively successful season this year, he'd be doing great things. Lots of ifs, though. You assuming facts (i.e., Kelly will "shape up for him even better than what Ed O was working with") doesn't make it real, nor does it defeat my main point: Kelly is a great coach, and a pretty average recruiter, even at a place that effectively recruits itself.

What, exactly are you arguing? I'm confused.

Totally tone deaf thing to say with the way LSU recruiting is trending right now. Again, you just come off as not really knowing/paying attention to what's actually happening and living in this fantasy world where Kelly isn't recruiting well at LSU.

First, we can't give Kelly credit for the hot start in 2025, because he needs to hang onto those guys. Just like MF doesn't get credit for the #1 class, because we know it's more than likely not going to stay at that elevated level all season.

As to your second sentence, you're missing my point in your (somewhat weird?) defense of Kelly. My point is not that Kelly hasn't recruited well; it's that he hasn't recruited to a level that should be expected at LSU (which, again, effectively recruits itself to Louisiana kids). Similar to the Mack Brown/Texas conundrum.

My point was you were coming off as a jilted ex-girlfriend to the LSU fan telling him his coach isn't a good recruiter when he had just signed a #6 and #7 class and was working on putting together most likely a current top 3 class at worst

In a vacuum, nothing wrong with the #6 and #7 class on the 247 composite on back to back years. But again, your defense of Kelly above all else lacks context. For 2023 (looking at the 247 composite), the teams who finished in front of BK's #6 class were Alabama (#1), Georgia (#2), Texas (#3), and Oklahoma (#5). For 2024, Georgia, Bama, and Texas finished ahead of him.

He needs to be recruiting at that level, because each of those teams are now SEC opponents. Again, I don't think he has it in him, because he hasn't shown that he consistently do it.

I know you believe throwing in some qualifier comment like "he's a terrific coach but" makes you think you appear objective/level-headed but unfortunately you're still coming off as being on a Kelly Kope

The frantically shuffling around the recruiting services, the lame beside the point comparison to what Freeman is doing (I know its not a comparison but...), even bothering to comment a couple times about him on a message board, and the fact you got so triggered by me implying you're on a Kelly Kope only reveals further you're on a Kelly Kope

LOL, frantically shuffling around recruiting services? I used Rivals. Take a deep breath, chief. Maybe sit the next couple plays out.

 

[stlnd01]

FWIW, these are LSU's class rankings on the 247 Composite over the last decade-plus.

2013: 6th
2014: 2nd
2015: 5th
2016: 2nd
2017: 7th
2018: 15th
2019: 5th
2020: 4th
2021: 3rd
2022: 12th
2023: 6th
2024: 7th

Looks like they'll do well in 2025, yes. And transfers have changed the import of high school recruiting, and they've done fairly well by the portal the last couple of years.
But any coach with a pulse could bring in good recruiting classes at LSU. Kelly's doing fine but probably not quite as well as the coaches before him. Regardless, recruiting's not why they hired him. They hired him to make the most of all the talent they bring in without needing to hardly try. Results on that are still TBD.

 

[a mike]

What, exactly are you arguing?

For the third time.....

You sound uninformed telling a LSU fan that they should be worried about their coach's recruiting given how Kelly has done at LSU thus far--especially when considering to date in his tenure he is sitting in a pretty similar spot to his predecessor who eventually went on to win a NC

The whole premise of your first post was that Kelly needed to recruit better to win a NC

I compared/contrasted recruiting around the beginning of Kelly and Ed O tenures and it appears like they are at pretty similar situations and Ed O was able to go on and win NC

So it just seems uninformed to me to declare that Kelly would need to recruit better

You can doink around or spin doctor the numbers however you wish but ultimately you were just making a throwaway reach comment just to do the old, tired pile on Kelly butt hurt dance

It gives you hope to lament about how lazy/bad a recruiter Kelly was because the alternative is to accept that ND's ceiling/mean as a program is to sign classes around 8-15 with maybe a top 5 or so every five years--which as we all know wouldn't allow ND to win a NC

Freeman will be pulling in 8-12ish classes with a class like last year sprinkled in because thats ND's mean and Kelly will be pulling in 3-8ish classes with maybe a #1 sprinkled in because that's LSU mean

Truth hurts but the whole reason Kelly left is because LSU will always be a better recruiting program than ND over the long-term regardless of respective coachs and I'm sure if LSU can win a NC with Ed O during peak Saban, Dabo, and Smart--they'll be just fine now with their current setup

 

[BobbyMac]

He's finished #6 and #7 in 247 Composite and currently has an average player rating of nearly 94 on 12 recruits with three 5-stars here in 2025

Its been like almost three years since the breakup, time to let go

Only BK could finish outside the Top 4 at LSU

 

[Irish#1]

For the third time.....

I'm assuming there will be a fourth?

 

[forkbeard3777]

But it isnt because they are getting paid. The 5 stars just want to be at LSU and be coached under BK.

Kelly’s comments didn’t really bother me and what many can’t comprehend ( see “Coach D” and Ryan Roberts) is that simply being the highest bidder (pay-for-play) for a one-off sets terrible precedent. Kelly basically said that’s not our model and not how we want to build our roster. We want to recruit at the high school level, develop, and retain. Again, this DT situation came out of nowhere as no one really foresaw Masson Smith declaring for the draft. He is injury prone and was underwhelming, but made the correct choice as he was a 2nd round pick.

Foremost, the player isn’t committed to your team or school, he simply wants to be paid. He’s going to the highest bidder, most
likely. How can you be that sure of the player’s value — is the TCU or Michigan State DT truly worth the astronomical value they’re asking?

More importantly, if you do make the mistake and pay this random player that figure he demands, you then open a giant can of worms and cause an internal rift as your other proven and substantially better players that committed to you from the beginning (i.e., Will Campbell, Harold Perkins, etc) are coming into you office, asking “what in the ever-living fuck” and demand that you come up with more money or they’ll threaten to transfer. No bueno.

 

[BobbyMac]

Kelly’s comments didn’t really bother me and what many can’t comprehend ( see “Coach D” and Ryan Roberts) is that simply being the highest bidder (pay-for-play) for a one-off sets terrible precedent. Kelly basically said that’s not our model and not how we want to build our roster. We want to recruit at the high school level, develop, and retain. Again, this DT situation came out of nowhere as no one really foresaw Masson Smith declaring for the draft. He is injury prone and was underwhelming, but made the correct choice as he was a 2nd round pick.

Foremost, the player isn’t committed to your team or school, he simply wants to be paid. He’s going to the highest bidder, most
likely. How can you be that sure of the player’s value — is the TCU or Michigan State DT truly worth the astronomical value they’re asking?

More importantly, if you do make the mistake and pay this random player that figure he demands, you then open a giant can of worms and cause an internal rift as your other proven and substantially better players that committed to you from the beginning (i.e., Will Campbell, Harold Perkins, etc) are coming into you office, asking “what in the ever-living fuck” and demand that you come up with more money or they’ll threaten to transfer. No bueno.

What do you car about precedent? You’re an LSU fan, if you cared about doing it the right way you’d have a Vandy in the logo or at least a Tulane. I’m a reformed IU basketball fan… Bobby’s long gone… I want Simon Skjodt and Cuban to buy banners.

 

[forkbeard3777]

What do you car about precedent? You’re an LSU fan, if you cared about doing it the right way you’d have a Vandy in the logo or at least a Tulane. I’m a reformed IU basketball fan… Bobby’s long gone… I want Simon Skjodt and Cuban to buy banners.

Got it. That’s it? Oh, and Notre Dame football and Indiana basketball fan? Let me guess, you’re also a Cowboys, Lakers, and Yankees fan?

 

[BobbyMac]

Got it. That’s it? Oh, and Notre Dame football and Indiana basketball fan? Let me guess, you’re also a Cowboys, Lakers, and Yankees fan?

Traditionally the Bears Bulls & Sox but ND Football is the only thing I follow now because Chicago ownership doesn’t care…so why should I?

As far as IU hoops… mama’s a grad from a big donor family, my best friend’s a grad, a good friend / HS teammate is involved with the Athletic Dept., my HS best friend played for Bobby and Bobby was responsible for 5 of my scholarship offers… one being the school I attended out of HS.

I unlike a lot of ND/IU fans have my reasons other than they were both elite in the 70-80’s

 

[ndfanatic78]

Traditionally the Bears Bulls & Sox but ND Football is the only thing I follow now because Chicago ownership doesn’t care…so why should I?

As far as IU hoops… mama’s a grad from a big donor family, my best friend’s a grad, a good friend / HS teammate is involved with the Athletic Dept., my HS best friend played for Bobby and Bobby was responsible for 5 of my scholarship offers… one being the school I attended out of HS.

I unlike a lot of ND/IU fans have my reasons other than they were both elite in the 70-80’s

Half my family graduated from ND and the other half IU. I went to Kent State and they have no teams to cheer for typically so I always stayed true to the teams I grew up cheering for. My dad has passed and he was the one who inspired my love for the Irish so there is no way that is going to change now.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

No need to get so emotional about it. lol

I did find it hilarious after reading the emotionally charged rant that he used a Frozen meme to really drive home his point. lol

 

[forkbeard3777]

Traditionally the Bears Bulls & Sox but ND Football is the only thing I follow now because Chicago ownership doesn’t care…so why should I?

As far as IU hoops… mama’s a grad from a big donor family, my best friend’s a grad, a good friend / HS teammate is involved with the Athletic Dept., my HS best friend played for Bobby and Bobby was responsible for 5 of my scholarship offers… one being the school I attended out of HS.

I unlike a lot of ND/IU fans have my reasons other than they were both elite in the 70-80’s

I'm just messing around with you. I, for one, generally dislike Indiana basketball (1981 LSU-Indiana, 1987 LSU-Indiana); however, I respect them and Coach Knight. I also really think college basketball is so much better when the Hoosiers have a great product. Hope they bounce back as well. I'd love to catch game at Assembly Hall.

 

[Irish#1]

I'm just messing around with you. I, for one, generally dislike Indiana basketball (1981 LSU-Indiana, 1987 LSU-Indiana); however, I respect them and Coach Knight. I also really think college basketball is so much better when the Hoosiers have a great product. Hope they bounce back as well. I'd love to catch game at Assembly Hall.

You can blame Fess Irvin for '87. '81 IU just ran away in the second half.

 

[NDQuebec]

I did find it hilarious after reading the emotionally charged rant that he used a Frozen meme to really drive home his point. lol

If you want a better laugh, listen to one of the recent Irish Breakdown podcast, where BD goes on an emotionally charged rant about BK. BK really lives inside Driskell's head and the rant was hilarious. He sounded like a stand up comedian.

 

[forkbeard3777]

If you want a better laugh, listen to one of the recent Irish Breakdown podcast, where BD goes on an emotionally charged rant about BK. BK really lives inside Driskell's head and the rant was hilarious. He sounded like a stand up comedian.

God, please tell me which episode. I can't wait.

Driskell's like those commercials (e.g., Target's "Love Like This Before") that you just hate, but yet you can't change the channel. You hate it, but you willfully subject yourself to it.

 

[KPENN]

BK speaks with such arrogance for a coach that’s never won a NY6 game