Kelly responds to Brooks comment that ‘struck a nerve’

By Hunt Palmer

Brian Kelly felt his character was under attack on Monday. He wasted no time responding.

Greg Brooks Jr. and his family sat down with ABC’s Good Morning America for an interview which aired on Monday. In the question and answer session with ABC’s Michael Strahan, Greg Brooks Sr. suggested that Kelly had not been in contact with the family since October of 2023 shortly after the younger Brooks was diagnosed with brain cancer.

“Specifically, Brian Kelly,” Brooks Sr. said of LSU’s head football coach. “My son almost lost his life. Coach, where were you? Forget about football. Pick up the phone and say you love the kid, man.”

Kelly refutes the claim.

“There’s many things I can’t say because it is pending litigation, obviously,” Kelly started. “But here’s what I can tell you. It is factually incorrect to state that I was not there by Greg’s side through this ordeal. I was there on multiple occasions. We had somebody from my staff that was there virtually every single day. We love Greg. We love him for the person that he is, for the competitor that he is and the battler that he is and can only wish him continued progress as he goes through an incredibly difficult time. But it was important for me to set the record clear as to my care, my love, for Greg Jr. during this very difficult time.”

Brooks and his family have brought legal action against multiple parties including LSU and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge claiming negligence in the diagnosis and treatment of the brain cancer that has left Brooks physically compromised.

Kelly insisted his football coaching is open to question in terms of play calling and recruiting. This situation, to Kelly, is entirely different.

“You can question me in terms of the things that we do on the field,” Kelly said. “But off the field, as a parent, as a husband, as somebody that is actively involved in every community that I’ve been involved with, this is where the line is drawn with me. That comment struck a nerve with me. It hit my heart. Because that’s not why I’m in this business. I’ve been in it for players, will always be in it for our players.”

Kelly continued.

“It rattled me that somebody could possibly be so factually incorrect in stating that I was not part of Greg Brooks Jr.’s care and support. The support was the entire university, the entire community. I needed to make sure that record was clear.”

Portal Pause

LSU scoured the transfer portal in December and January for impact players to shape the 2025 team. In total, LSU added 16, and some have already made an impression on Kelly and the LSU staff.

“Experience at the tight end position to marry with a really exceptional young player in Trey’Dez (Green), but bringing in Bauer Sharp who’s got a lot of experience and a certain presence there at tight end. He’s been outstanding,” Kelly said. “I think Jack Pyburn brings more than just his ability on the field but his ability to impact players in the locker room and in the weight room. His demeanor, his attitude is infectious. I think those two guys.”

Kelly went on to praise the wide receiver additions as well as Virginia Tech cornerback Mansoor Delane.

Another portal window opens after spring ball, but Kelly doesn’t anticipate that LSU will active there.

“I think we go into this next portal window with no expectations of ‘we need to get somebody out of the spring portal,’” Kelly said. “It would have to be something that just was a right fit for us.”