Brian Kelly to LSU: Notre Dame Head Coach Odds

**Kelly Stuns College Football, Bolts Notre Dame for LSU in Blockbuster $100 Million Deal; Coaching Carousel Ignites in South Bend**

**BATON ROUGE, LA / SOUTH BEND, IN – November 28, 2021** – In a move that sent shockwaves through the college football landscape, Brian Kelly, the winningest coach in Notre Dame history, was reportedly finalizing a massive 10-year, $100 million deal to become the next head coach of the LSU Tigers football program. The news, which broke late Sunday, November 28, 2021, confirmed earlier speculation and immediately put one of the most prestigious jobs in college football – that of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish – up for grabs.

Kelly, 60, was poised to leave South Bend after 12 seasons at the helm, where he amassed an impressive 113-40 record. His tenure included a BCS National Championship appearance in 2012 and two College Football Playoff berths (2018, 2020). The abrupt departure came just hours after Kelly had reportedly informed his Notre Dame team of his decision, and while the Fighting Irish were still in contention for a playoff spot with a 11-1 record. The timing proved particularly jarring, as the team awaited final playoff rankings.

LSU, a perennial SEC powerhouse, had just concluded a turbulent 6-6 season under interim head coach Brad Davis, following their mid-season parting with national championship-winning coach Ed Orgeron. The Tigers’ aggressive pursuit of Kelly, culminating in one of the richest contracts in college sports, underscored their commitment to restoring the program to national prominence. The deal’s reported value, an eye-watering $10 million annually, signaled a new era of investment for the Baton Rouge institution.

**The Search for Notre Dame’s Next Leader Begins**

With Kelly’s imminent departure, the immediate focus shifted to who would step into the hallowed halls of Notre Dame. Speculation and betting markets quickly identified a diverse field of candidates, each bringing a unique profile to one of the most scrutinized jobs in American sports.

Among the early front-runners for the Notre Dame position, according to then-released betting odds, was **Luke Fickell**, the highly successful coach of the undefeated (12-0) Cincinnati Bearcats. Fickell, whose team was making a strong case for a College Football Playoff bid, held +200 odds, reflecting his strong resume and Midwestern roots.

A compelling internal option emerged in **Marcus Freeman**, Notre Dame’s then-defensive coordinator, who quickly garnered +300 odds. Freeman, known for his energetic coaching style and recruiting prowess, had rapidly become a fan favorite and a strong voice within the program.

Other prominent names in the early discussions included Iowa State’s **Matt Campbell** (+500), whose consistent success in a challenging Big 12 environment made him an attractive candidate. Even **Urban Meyer**, then coaching the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL, was listed at +1000, despite his current professional commitments.

Long-standing Big Ten coach **Pat Fitzgerald** of Northwestern, known for his deep ties to the university and consistent program building, also sat at +1000. **Dave Aranda**, who had guided Baylor to a surprising resurgence, was listed at +1200. Penn State’s **James Franklin** (+1500), another coach with strong recruiting ties and a history of building successful programs, was also in the mix.

The extensive list of potential candidates further highlighted the prestige and unique challenges of the Notre Dame job, often seen as requiring a specific blend of coaching acumen, leadership, and an understanding of the university’s distinct academic and athletic mission. Even NFL figures like Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach **Mike Tomlin** (+2000) were speculatively included, along with college football notables such as Ole Miss coach **Lane Kiffin** (+2500), Iowa’s **Kirk Ferentz** (+2500), Minnesota’s **P.J. Fleck** (+3000), and **Dan Mullen** (+3000), who had recently been fired from Florida.

**The Aftermath: A Rapid Resolution in South Bend**

Within days of Kelly’s shocking exit, the leadership at Notre Dame moved swiftly to address the coaching vacancy. On December 1, 2021, the university announced that Marcus Freeman, the charismatic defensive coordinator, would be elevated to head coach. The decision was met with widespread approval from players and fans alike, marking Freeman as the first African American head football coach in Notre Dame’s storied history and, at 35, the second-youngest in the program’s modern era.

Kelly officially signed his contract with LSU on November 30, 2021, and was formally introduced as the Tigers’ head coach on December 1. His initial tenure at LSU has seen him quickly revitalize the program, leading them to an SEC West Division title in his first season (2022) and an impressive 10-win campaign in 2023.

The dramatic events of late November 2021 underscored the volatile nature of elite college football, where monumental coaching changes can unfold in a matter of hours, reshaping the trajectories of legendary programs and initiating a scramble to fill some of the most coveted positions in sports.