When Brian Kelly left Notre Dame for LSU, there was plenty of angst. After all, Kelly forged a 113-40 record in South Bend, rebuilding a program that had gone through several mediocre, bad head coaches. That angst grew as Kelly's replacement, Marcus Freeman, began his stay as the Fighting Irish head man with three straight losses. (the Fiesta bowl, Ohio State, and Marshall)
However, since both men's first three games with their respective programs, it's worth pointing out that Freeman is 38-9 and Kelly is 32-13. That's hardly the only reason why Blue and Gold faithful are plenty happy that Kelly, who rubs people the wrong way often and has had some rather concerning issues surface in South Bend, is no longer around.
Marcus Freeman took Notre Dame to the top of the College Football world in 2024, falling just short against Ohio State. Brian Kelly is about to look for a new job.
Notre Dame keeps winning as LSU questions Brian Kelly’s future
Kelly left the Irish because he thought the ceiling in Baton Rouge was higher. He might have been right, but he hasn't touched it. His best record with the Bayou Bengals was 10-4. He's never lost fewer than three games in a season at LSU.
Freeman's worst record in South Bend is 9-4. His first season ever as a head coach. He went 14-2 last year and should lose at most 3 games this season after a 5-2 start. Barring a catastrophe, he'll take his Notre Dame squad to the playoffs for a second straight season. Yet another accomplishment Kelly never sniffed.
Now, there are reports that LSU officials are busy discussing whether Kelly will coach another game. He and his staff have all reportedly been sent home while people in charge, including Louisiana's governor, discuss what to do next.
Tigers fans love to come up with excuses as to why Kelly's job is harder. Coaching in the SEC is undoubtedly tough. Notre Dame, though, hasn't shied away from Power 4 opponents, even if not all of them are on par with Alabama and Georgia.
Results matter. Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame have offered up great results since Brian Kelly went to Baton Rouge. While it's too early to say the Irish coach has the last laugh, there are plenty of fans laughing now.