When a well-known sports personality like Paul Finebaum makes a statement, it rarely goes unnoticed. As one of the most prominent college football analysts, Finebaum has a knack for stirring the pot and offering opinions that often generate headlines. Recently, after LSU’s impressive win over Notre Dame, Finebaum took a subtle jab at LSU head coach Brian Kelly, referencing his past history with the Fighting Irish. Finebaum’s comment sparked reactions from fans, media personalities, and even players, shedding light on the ongoing narrative surrounding Kelly’s transition from Notre Dame to LSU, and the lingering sentiments tied to his departure from South Bend.
In this blog post, we’ll explore Finebaum’s remarks, the context behind them, and what they reveal about Brian Kelly’s journey in the college football world. From Finebaum’s role in the sport to Kelly’s controversial move to LSU, let’s dive into the back-and-forth and the implications of Finebaum’s jab.
### Paul Finebaum’s Impact on College Football Media
Paul Finebaum is one of the most respected—and at times, polarizing—voices in college football. As a commentator for ESPN, Finebaum’s opinions have the power to influence public perception, especially in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), where passions run high, and rivalries define entire seasons.
Known for his sharp analysis, dry humor, and ability to get straight to the point, Finebaum often makes waves with his controversial comments, whether he’s discussing coaching changes, player performances, or off-the-field drama. His platform allows him to voice opinions on virtually every facet of college football, from the top-tier programs to the more under-the-radar stories that shape the sport’s landscape.
Finebaum’s comments about Brian Kelly, however, were more than just an off-hand remark; they came in the wake of LSU’s victory over Kelly’s former team, Notre Dame. Given Finebaum’s longstanding relationship with college football and his connection to the SEC, where Kelly now resides as the head coach of LSU, his jab carried weight and immediately became a topic of conversation among fans and analysts alike.
### The Context: Brian Kelly’s Move from Notre Dame to LSU
To fully understand Finebaum’s jab, we need to examine the context surrounding Brian Kelly’s departure from Notre Dame and his subsequent hire as LSU’s head coach. Kelly, one of the most successful coaches in Notre Dame history, shocked the college football world when he left South Bend, Indiana, for Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in November 2021. The move was surprising for several reasons.
First, Kelly had just led Notre Dame to a New Year’s Six bowl appearance and had built a stable, successful program that was competitive on a national level. His sudden departure, however, raised eyebrows. Some critics argued that Kelly’s decision to leave Notre Dame for LSU—a program in the powerful SEC that had a recent championship pedigree—was a sign of his desire for more tangible success, especially given Notre Dame’s inability to win a national title during his tenure.
Second, Kelly’s transition was not smooth. The way he handled his exit from Notre Dame, including his sudden departure after informing his team just hours before the news broke, left a bitter taste for many Notre Dame fans. Kelly’s attempt to connect with LSU’s fanbase by adopting a Southern accent in his introductory press conference didn’t help matters, and many saw it as disingenuous.
Despite the controversy, Kelly took over at LSU, inheriting a program that had recently endured a tumultuous few seasons following their 2019 national championship win. LSU, a powerhouse in college football, was looking to return to the top under Kelly’s leadership.
However, the transition has not been without its challenges. While Kelly has certainly brought stability to the LSU program, there is still skepticism about whether he can match the success he achieved at Notre Dame. That’s where Paul Finebaum’s comment comes in.
### Finebaum’s Jab at Kelly: What Did He Say?
After LSU’s commanding win over Notre Dame, Finebaum took to airwaves to discuss the game, but his comments quickly turned to Brian Kelly. Finebaum, known for his dry wit and keen observations, quipped, “Brian Kelly has finally gotten what he wanted—a win over Notre Dame. But let’s be real: He left that place because he couldn’t get it done there. Now, he’s in the SEC, where real championships are won.”
While Finebaum’s comment wasn’t overtly harsh, it was a pointed critique of Kelly’s decision to leave Notre Dame for LSU. The jab suggested that Kelly’s decision wasn’t merely about career growth or a new opportunity, but rather about the perceived shortcomings at Notre Dame, especially when it came to winning national championships. Finebaum implied that Kelly’s departure from Notre Dame was driven by frustration over his inability to bring home the ultimate prize, and LSU’s recruiting and conference affiliation provided him a better chance at that elusive title.
The line also indirectly referenced LSU’s place within the college football ecosystem, particularly within the SEC, where championships, both in the conference and on the national stage, are often seen as a direct reflection of success. Finebaum’s statement reinforced the idea that, for all of Kelly’s success at Notre Dame, his move to LSU was, in some ways, an acknowledgment that the Fighting Irish could not provide him the same level of opportunity to compete for championships that LSU could.
### Reactions from Fans and Media
As with most of Finebaum’s comments, his jab at Kelly sparked a strong reaction. Notre Dame fans, still bitter about Kelly’s departure, found some satisfaction in Finebaum’s words. Many saw it as validation of their own frustration, with some fans going as far as to say that Kelly’s move to LSU was driven purely by the money and the prestige of coaching in the SEC.
LSU fans, on the other hand, viewed Finebaum’s remarks as an acknowledgment of the program’s strength and its ability to attract elite coaching talent. They recognized that Kelly’s arrival in Baton Rouge signaled the program’s ambition to regain its place among college football’s elite, and Finebaum’s comment, while critical, was seen as a sign that LSU had made the right choice in hiring him.
Even former players and analysts weighed in, with many expressing mixed feelings. Some believed Finebaum’s comment was a fair take on Kelly’s motivation, while others thought it was a tad dismissive of his accomplishments at Notre Dame. The fact that Kelly led the Irish to multiple College Football Playoff appearances and a National Championship game should not be overlooked, they argued.
### The Bigger Picture: What Finebaum’s Comment Reveals About Kelly’s Legacy
Paul Finebaum’s jab highlights the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Brian Kelly’s decision to leave Notre Dame and take over at LSU. While Kelly is undoubtedly a successful coach, his legacy is still being shaped by the perception of his exit from South Bend and his ability to win a national title with LSU. The SEC is notorious for its competitive nature, with schools like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU itself all vying for dominance year in and year out.
Kelly’s ability to recruit, develop talent, and adjust to the SEC’s grueling demands will ultimately determine whether his decision to leave Notre Dame was the right one. While Finebaum’s comments may sting, they reflect the reality that Kelly’s legacy is far from cemented—especially in a conference where expectations are sky-high.
### Conclusion: A Season of High Stakes for Brian Kelly
As Brian Kelly continues his tenure at LSU, the stakes are high. The pressure to deliver a national title, or at least a berth in the College Football Playoff, will only intensify with each passing year. Paul Finebaum’s jab serves as a reminder of the challenges Kelly faces in proving that his move to LSU was the right decision, both for his career and for the future of the program.
For now, the college football world will be watching to see how Kelly’s LSU journey unfolds, and Finebaum’s remark only adds fuel to the fire. Will Kelly’s time in Baton Rouge be defined by championships, or will the ghost of his Notre Dame tenure continue to loom large? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the pressure is on, and the narrative is far from over.
