Brian Kelly denies saying LSU would 'beat the heck out of Florida State'
Brian Kelly has denied saying LSU would ‘beat the heck out of Florida State’ in the run-up to the Tigers’ top-10 matchup with the Noles in Week 1.
Kelly told The Lafayette Daily Advertiser’s Koki Riley that the comments were “not something he would ever say.”
Here’s his full quote:
“I think you all know me. I’m pretty careful with what I say and how I said it. Never have I been cavalier or disrespectful to an opponent in my 33 years,” Kelly said on Tuesday. “So if somebody wants to prop up a comment and inflate it into something that it is not, that’s what social media is about today.”
“I have nothing but the utmost respect for coach (Mike) Norvell. I know who the opponent was. It’s just not in my background or nature to make those kinds of comments.”
However, there’s audio of Kelly making the remark he seems to be distancing himself from. Kelly made the statement while on his radio show last Thursday.
Kelly was discussing the relative inexperience of LSU’s roster but wanted to be clear he wasn’t trying to make any excuses before the game. Here’s his original quote with context:
“We’re going to take 15 freshmen on this trip. And 14 transfers. So nearly 40% of this travel roster are going to go over night for the first time with LSU. And that’s not a disclaimer of any kind, we’re gonna go beat the heck out of Florida State.”
Here’s audio of Kelly’s remarks:
A LITTLE PREGAME BULLETIN BOARD MATERIAL ?
LSU coach Brian Kelly on his radio show earlier this week: “We’re going to go beat the heck out of Florida State”
How do you feel about this #FSU fans ? pic.twitter.com/MHYmI4ugTA
— Warchant.com (@Warchant) September 3, 2023
Florida State defeated LSU 45-24 on Sunday night in Orlando.
LSU will face Grambling State at home on Saturday.
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If you listen to how he said that, it is in no way disrespectful or anything like that.
He’s not the first coach, or person for that matter, to say something like that or similar in a joking manner.
Just like dumb, irresponsible journalism to take things and run with it.
Tell your coach to choose better words in the future to avoid another AZZ WHOOPING!
That’s pep rally talk for fans, Kelly denying he said it is a bad look for him. Can’t deny he said it, could explain why he did.
Kelly would have to admit he made a mistake. He will always believe he does not make mistakes…players do by not executing the way that Kelly had it drawn up.
Mark Richt’s UGA teams used to inexplicably lose about one game a year to a vastly inferior opponent.
Brian Kelly is averaging about one inexplicable media appearance per year. The fake Cajun accent was #1, then this weird denial is #2 when there’s crystal clear audio of him saying it…
Professional writers who would make a legal issue out of having half their context deleted from a statement…. Thinking it’s ok to make profit out of this. WAY WAY more embarrassing for media than it is for Kelly. And the writer could have made an equally entertaining story by writing Kelly predicted his unknown new roster would win in spite of their inexperience in his system. Yes he said his boys would win in spite of their inexperience in his system. That’s required optimism from EVERY coach. Yes there is a better way to express optimism about your new roster. Even if you write for a newspaper in Tallahassee, we know the story maker here is half truthful. Print the names of the media hackers who wrote and spoke about half truths here. And let that be the last word.
Seems like he suffers from lie-abetes. From the fake accent nonsense to this…lying about something that is on tape. He lied!!!
I love how his minions are defending him saying things like “That’s locker room talk” LOL The fact remains..He denied saying “We’re going to go beat the heck out of Florida State” when there is irrefutable proof. I would be very concerned about his character instead of making excuses for him. He’s basically Butch Jones with a better roster.