Brian Kelly’s decision to leave Notre Dame for LSU caught most college football analysts and fans by surprise.

One reason for that was an answer Kelly gave a reporter last week when asked if he ever envisioned leaving Notre Dame.

Said Kelly in response to the question: “No. I mean, look, I think Mike Tomlin had the best line, right? Unless that fairy godmother comes by with that $250M check, my wife would want to take a look at it first. I’d have to run it by her.”

On Wednesday, ESPN “College GameDay” host Rece Davis asked Kelly about that comment, and the new Tigers head coach offered up an answer that could have been crafted by a politician.

“That opportunity that wasn’t there when I made those comments, and I was being honest,” Kelly said. “And you know me. I, I’m going to tell you the way I think. And at that time, I had no thought that I would ever be leaving Notre Dame.”

Kelly was introduced as LSU’s new head coach on Wednesday.

He compiled a 113-40 record in 12 seasons at Notre Dame, including an 11-1 mark this season.