Brian Kelly left early-morning meeting with Notre Dame players after 11 minutes

Brian Kelly left early-morning meeting with Notre Dame players after 11 minutes

Brian Kelly’s goodbye to Notre Dame players on Tuesday morning was brief.

As in, 11 minutes.

According to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, the meeting — which Kelly called Monday night following reports he was leaving South Bend for LSU — lasted just that long.

Kelly’s decision to leave Notre Dame after 12 seasons appeared to leave everyone connected to the program in shock. Given that just a week ago, he publicly and emphatically said he wouldn’t be leaving, that’s little surprise.

In the last hours before he officially left, Kelly ghosted assistant coaches, according to The Athletic, and administrators and boosters didn’t know the news was coming either. Kelly’s team also found out he was leaving on social media, with the coach finally sending them an update a little after 10 p.m. on Monday night.

Brian Kelly Notre Dame LSUBrian Kelly leading Notre Dame football players out for their game against Stanford on Nov. 27, 2021.Getty Images

“I will have more to share when we meet tomorrow at 7 a.m. but for now, just know that my love for you is limitless and I am so proud of all that you have accomplished,” the message read, as obtained by The Athletic. “Our program is elite because of your hard work and commitment and I know that will continue. I will share more in the morning when we meet. Again, my sincere apologies for not being able to be the one to share the news directly with you.”

Brian Kelly Notre Dame LSUBrian Kelly (c.) during his final game as Notre Dame football coach on Nov. 27, 2021.Getty Images

Whatever his explanation was, it seems to have been a short one.