On Thursday Night, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish won a thriller taking down Penn State on a last second field goal to advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. While many were talking about the game, a ton of focus was shifted toward current LSU coach and former Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly.
Kelly left Notre Dame for LSU citing that he wanted to go to the SEC to compete for National Championships. This came as Brian Kelly went to the College Football Playoff multiple times but, failed to win a game. As Marcus Freeman won his third College Football Playoff game, Brian Kelly quickly became the butt of the joke.
"I want to be in an environment where I have the resources to win a national championship."Brian Kelly
Barstool Sports founder and Michigan fan Dave Portnoy was one of the first to jump into the mix rubbing salt in the wounds after helping Michigan flip Bryce Underwood.
Meanwhile…. pic.twitter.com/1Doa9OfMrl
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) January 10, 2025
Another user quickly turned to point out the fact that Marcus Freeman has now won three playoff games before Kelly has won one.
Brian Kelly watching Notre Dame win 3 playoff games after he said it could never be done there pic.twitter.com/61n2xPXTZS
— Austin Randolph (@austinsrandolph) January 10, 2025
One user pointed out that Notre Dame is on the brink of winning a title and what that means for Kelly's future.
Brian Kelly left Notre Dame because he didn’t think he could win a national title there in the current CFB landscape. He thought LSU would be a better path.
— Brian Rauf (@brauf33) January 10, 2025
His replacement has Notre Dame just 60 minutes away from a title, and Kelly enters next season on a hot seat.
One fan used Brian Kelly's direct quote while showing how incredible the moment was when the kick curved back inside the uprights.
“I want to be in an environment where I have the resources to win a national championship,” Brian Kelly when asked why he left Notre Dame in the Spring of 2022 https://t.co/I7mI2D8TMN
— Packerfan Total Access- Clayton (@packers_access) January 10, 2025
Auburn joined the mix of SEC Schools looking to take a shot at Brian Kelly after the Irish won the game.
Brian Kelly leaving was the best thing that could have happened for Notre Dame
— Auburn Barstool (@WarDamnStool) January 10, 2025
Brian Kelly's table punch was among the most popular videos used by those looking to take a shot at LSU's Head Coach.
Are we still talking about how Brian Kelly left ND for LSU because he felt you couldn't win championships there? I'll let him answer: pic.twitter.com/lA4KK4IDNP
— keefhere.bsky.social (@keefND) January 10, 2025
One Twitter user pointed out that Cincinnati and Notre Dame both of Kelly's former schools have made the College Football Playoff more recently than he has which isn't the best of looks.
Just wanna point out that both Cincinnati AND Notre Dame have made the CFP more recently than a Brian Kelly coached team.
— Yzerplan fan Cody (@cmauch24) January 10, 2025
Biggest loser in America. Hope he’s happy #Bearcats #NotreDame
Finally, someone had to use Brian Kelly's infamous Louisiana accent to take a shot at the Coach before the night came to an end.
Bet Brian Kelly enjoyed that game with his Fam-a-ly.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) January 10, 2025
The Pressure is only building for Brian Kelly in 2025
This offseason, Brian Kelly has gone out and landed an incredible transfer class quickly making his roster a contender. If Notre Dame wins the National Title, the pressure on Brian Kelly will only continue to build as he continues to garner a ton of attention. Brian Kelly should have his best roster yet in 2025 at LSU and if the Tigers fail to make the College Football Playoff again it'll only make the attention Kelly is getting much worse.