Despite being ranked third in the latest AP Poll, the second-highest for the LSU Tigers under head coach Brian Kelly, the program has come under recent scrutiny. Most notably, even after their 3-0 start, Kelly ‘went off‘ on a reporter in their postgame interview after their win over the Florida Gators.
After the rant, college football insider for ESPN, Andy Staples, addressed Kelly’s postgame interaction and handling of the press conference, adding the context of the pressure the coach is under, leading one of the top programs in the country.
“Brian, you know what job you took. You took the LSU job,” Staples said on the Pardon My Take podcast, discussing Kelly’s postgame rant. “The last three people who sat in your chair won the national title by year four. What year is it now (for Kelly)?”
Though quarterback Garrett Nussmeier hasn’t yet lived up to the Heisman expectations held by many before the season, LSU under Kelly in his fourth year has had a strong start to the season with wins over Clemson and Florida.
Brian Kelly’s Rant And Apology
Even with the strongest start of Kelly’s tenure in Baton Rouge, his lashing out in the press conference was the lasting storyline of LSU’s Week 3 win. For context, Kelly had strong words to say after the first question was asked about the Tigers‘ run game, instead of their defense, which finished with five interceptions.
“Stop, really? Is that the first question? We won the game 20-10. What do you want me to tell you?” Kelly originally said. “You’re looking at this from the wrong perspective. LSU won the football game. Won the game. I don’t know what you want from me. What do you want, for us to win 70-0 against Florida to keep you happy?”
Shortly after, Kelly apologized for the spat, saying, “I think it’s important to understand that you know, my standards relative to how we work with the media on a day-to-day basis, need to be higher, and I take responsibility for that, and I’ll be better in the future.”
But even after the apology, Kelly’s comments calling the reporter ‘spoiled‘ lingered. Kelly cited LSU’s 17-1 record at home during night games, and said the group of reporters was ‘out of line‘ asking a question like they did.
That’s where Staples shared his thoughts, as he discussed LSU’s win over Florida, he directly addressed Kelly and his comments.
“Yes, they’re spoiled, but you knew that when you took the job,” Staples said about Kelly and his standing with LSU fans this deep into his time at the program.
Nussmeier Injury Before LSU’s SEC Play Ramps Up
It might seem strange that with LSU ranked third overall, Kelly is putting the program in headlines for arguing with reporters and subsequently apologizing. But as that remains one of the biggest discussion points after their win over Florida, another development could impact the Tigers drastically going forward.
After the Week 3 win, Kelly announced that Nussmeier, a presumptive Heisman Award favorite, is dealing with a torso injury.
“He’s been slowed a little bit with a torso injury, and he’s fighting through it, and he’s getting better,” Kelly said on Monday. “He’s not going to be able to shut it down until the bye week.”
“This week is an opportunity for him. He’s doing some things in practice he hasn’t done in the last month.”
Nussmeier completed 15 of his 27 passes for 220 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the win over Florida. It was similar to his previous numbers against Clemson and Louisiana Tech in the two weeks prior. But his combined 689 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions on a 75.3 quarterback rating aren’t the numbers many expected before the season.
Kelly said Nussmeier would be ready for the Saturday game, and that he’s ‘on the other side‘ of the injury. While a healthy quarterback would both help LSU and Nussmeier’s chances at team and personal success, it comes shortly before the crucial time of the season for the Tigers.
After LSU faces Southern Louisiana in Week 4, four of its next five opponents currently hold a national ranking. Kelly and the Tigers have had a strong start to the season, but as seen in the past, a team with playoff expectations could have their season completely changed in just one week.
While Kelly remains in headlines for his outbursts, and Nussmeier for his injuries and play, LSU continues to find ways to distract from the fact that the AP Poll ranks them third in the country.
Insider Rips LSU HC Brian Kelly After Postgame Rant And Apology