Brian Kelly offers candid comments on halftime locker room, coaching staff continuity

Brian Kelly called the halftime locker room against Wisconsin on Monday “one of the lowest points” of the season, but he also credited the LSU players because “they didn’t panic.” In the end, the Tigers prevailed 35-31 over the Badgers.

Amid questions and concerns about the defense in particular from fans and media, Kelly said he wanted “continuity” on LSU’s coaching staff through the early signing period and the bowl game.

“We will evaluate now that the season is completed. I will do a full evaluation on all our staff,” Kelly said. “I wanted continuity through the bowl game. Now, my focus will be on 2024.”

As for the play in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin, Kelly admitted that Malik Nabers fought him on staying in the game after the star wide receiver secured LSU’s career yardage record.

“Once he got the record, I said ‘that’s it, you’re done’. He fought me on it.” @LSUfootball Brian Kelly on Malik Nabers. #LSU

— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) January 1, 2024

Brian Kelly said Malik Nabers wanted to keep playing after breaking the #LSU record.

“He wanted to do it for his teammates. He wanted to do it for LSU. He wanted to do it to break the record. And I think that’s great.

“He fought me a little on that.”

Next up: 1st Round pick. https://t.co/eDLapROi5E

— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) January 1, 2024

Brian Kelly said halftime “was one of the lowest moments of the season.”

Said he could see it in the locker room

“A lot to prove in the second half and I thought we did a good job, finished strong.”#LSU

— Glen West (@glenwest21) January 1, 2024

H/T Wilson Alexander.