When Brian Kelly departed Notre Dame for LSU, there were more than a few people who found the fit rather odd. As it turns out, former head coach and new Tigers' assistant Ed Orgeron was among those who didn't think Kelly had much of a chance of success in Baton Rouge. In fact, Orgeron thought Kelly was cooked at his official introduction to LSU students.
Kelly’s first public address to the LSU faithful came at halftime of the Tigers’ basketball game against Ohio on December 1, 2021. He was supposed to be electric. The former Fighting Irish coach was supposed to fire up the fans for a new era of Tiger football after moving on from Orgeron. Kelly’s ‘rah-rah’ speech, however, was made fun of relentlessly for years moving forward.
“Well, this is a great way to get started,” the former Notre Dame coach said in a southern accent that came off as more of a cartoonish mocking of those down in the bayou. “I haven’t even won all my games yet. It’s a great night to be a Tiger. I’m here with my family (pronounced fah-muly), and we are so excited to be in the great state of Louisiana. But more importantly, to be with you great fans and to be part of an incredible ride here at Louisiana State University.”
According to Orgeron, it was at that moment that he knew Kelly was done, even if his career in Baton Rouge limped along for a few more years.
NEW: Ed Orgeron on his initial reaction to Brian Kelly’s fake accent at LSU:
— On3 (@On3) May 22, 2026
"It's over. You ain’t got a chance. You ain’t got a chance, man."
(via @PardonMyTake, @Mike_Bundt)https://t.co/i6oZ6UXeWH pic.twitter.com/UWrr6H3KVr
Ed Orgeron’s Brian Kelly takedown feels familiar to Notre Dame football fans
“It’s over,” Orgeron said about the incident when he appeared on Friday's First Take. “You ain’t got a chance. You ain’t got a chance, man. Not only did the fans see it, the players saw that. And they’re like… hmm. One of the things is that players have to trust you. You have to be who you are. If you try and be somebody that you ain’t, they’re going to smell it right away.”
Orgeron would certainly know how that fake and bizarre accent would play with Louisiana natives, since he is one. The newest hire for Lane Kiffin's LSU squad was born in Larose, Louisiana. It was his ties to the state that made fans so excited when he took over as head coach back in 2016. It's why they're excited to have him back as a primary member of the recruiting staff in 2026.
Meanwhile, Brian Kelly's missteps at LSU included far more than just trying to fit in by adopting an accent no one had ever heard him use before. There were enough that he's even talked this offseason about going back to South Bend to learn from Notre Dame coaches how to improve his approach.
Whether that will ultimately happen or not, it will likely be an under-the-radar situation that no one at Notre Dame will try too hard to make public. Brian Kelly isn't exactly beloved in Notre Dame. It doesn't appear he's really beloved anywhere in college football. He certainly doesn't hold any special place in Ed Orgeron's heart.
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