Now, who knows the pain of losing in the recruiting race more than Brian Kelly? The year 2024 will always be etched in the LSU Tigers’ memory. After all, they lost the No.1 QB recruit Bryce Underwood, who had initially given words to Kelly and Co. But looks like things are going to change for the better in the Tigers squad. That too in the recruiting front.
LSU is lucky to have a mastermind, a coach who now has developed a heart-to-heart connection with the recruits. So, the players are now giving Kelly’s program that edge because of this big name. Not just the coach, the HC himself has come up with a bold move that revolves around a six-figure.
Meet the gamechanger in Kelly’s squad
So just when Kelly might have thought that losing Underwood must have been the biggest blow, the transfer portal pestered him a little more. The Tigers lost 19 players in the winter window of the transfer portal. Within 20 days since the winter portal opened its gates, 17 players took the exit. Even in February, players like top-10 defensive lineman commitment JaReylan McCoy chose to walk back on his commitment to Kelly’s squad. Surprisingly, this narrative is changing bit by bit. Players now are considering moving into Kelly’s program. Now what? Rather, who is the factor? That’s none other than LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan. And guess what? A commit is already head over heels for the coach.
Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; LSU Tigers coach Brian Kelly arrives before the game against the Southern California Trojans at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
On Matt Moscona’s After Further Review: LSU podcast, the University Lab QB and LSU commit Emile Picarella could not stop talking about Sloan. When asked about his bond with the coach, the QB confirmed, “If we’re being completely honest he’s probably my favorite coach that I’ve met throughout this whole process. He’s very transparent and very honest and there’s not a lot of that when it comes to recruiting.” Now we know what he hinted at. After all, recruiters often go visiting door to door. They make everyone feel special, but mostly, the conversations are limited to business. What’s so special about Kelly’s OC?
The effort to know more about the players than just about their passion and love for the sport. Sloan always makes the players feel like they are part of one big family. “He’s just honest the whole process and he’s gonna ask about your family. He’s gonna ask how you’re doing, he’s gonna ask how your siblings are doing, ask about school. And he gets really personal with you because that’s what I think recruiting is supposed to be.” Now not to forget Sloan’s other major contribution to Kelly’s program.
Sloan was hired by the Tigers as the quarterback coach in 2022. Kelly later promoted him to his current position in January 2024. Picarella stated, “He is the best quarterback coach in the country.” The coach developed Jayden Daniels into Heisman-worthy material. Amidst the Sloan hype, do not miss out on how Kelly is making waves in the portal.
Brian Kelly’s unmatched dedication to the program
The On3 has released their Top 10 average NIL valuations. Going by the list, Alabama Crimson Tide tops the list, holding an NIL value of $299k. Did Kelly’s program make it to the list? The Tigers hold the No.9 rank. The credit, of course, goes to their HC, who orchestrated a significant $137K NIL transfer portal investment. Now, we all know that head coaches treat programs as their own kids. However, Kelly took this love to a whole new level.
The Tigers HC did not think twice before parting his own money to boost the school’s NIL efforts. But there was a catch! As per NCAA rules, head coaches cannot make any contribution to NIL collectives directly. That’s when Kelly whipped up a master plan. He planned to donate his $1 million to the Tiger Athletic Foundation, the private fundraising arm of LSU sports.
Luckily, Kelly has found his wife Paqui by his side. The Kelly couple announced the “Kelly Family Million Dollar Match Challenge” last December. This also contained every dollar of public support going to the Tigers’ Excellence Fund via the Bayou Traditions Football Fund. This was not the first. Back in 2022, when he was hired as the HC, he had dished out $1 million as a donation. No more missed opportunities—the Tigers are keeping every star in sight.
The post True Mastermind Behind Brian Kelly’s Recruiting Success Revealed as LSU HC’s Six-Figure Move Confirmed in New Intel appeared first on EssentiallySports.
