Brian Kelly understands Louisiana’s unique blend of politics, sports and culture better than most. The former LSU coach now at Notre Dame spoke exclusively to USA TODAY Sports on Friday, September 4, addressing the escalating controversy surrounding Lane Kiffin’s attempt to field players who spent time in NFL training camps.
“Boy, it’s a lot,” Kelly said. “There’s no separation of church and state, if you will, in Louisiana. It all works together. The politics are involved. The fanbase is influential.”
What makes this situation different from typical NCAA disputes?
Kelly’s comments come as LSU battles the SEC over player eligibility rules, with former Notre Dame recruit Junior Tuihalamaka among those caught in the controversy. The stakes extend beyond this season, though Kelly initially believed the issue would fade quickly.
“Early on, I thought it was much ado about nothing because it was not going to affect anybody anymore after this year,” he explained. The intersection of Louisiana’s political landscape with college athletics creates unique operational challenges. Kelly even recalled receiving an invitation to Governor Jeff Landry’s fundraising gator tagging event during preseason camp, illustrating how deeply intertwined these worlds remain in the Bayou State.
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