College coaches around the country took the podium today to talk about their recruiting classes filled with all the coaching catchphrases you come to expect during the February signing day period.
Brian Kelly did that, and also took the opportunity at the podium to dispute recent allegations attacking his character.
During an appearance by LSU safety Greg Brooks Jr. and his family on Good Morning America, where they talked about Greg's battle with brain cancer and a recent lawsuit filed against LSU alleging negligence surrounding a misdiagnosis and the treatment and surgery, Brooks' father called out Kelly for not being there for his son during this very trying time.
Specifically, it was alleged that the family hadn't heard from the LSU coaching staff, most notably Kelly, since October of 2023.
"My son almost lost his life, Coach. Where were you? Forget about football. Pick up the phone and say you love the kid, man. He's at LSU, one of the best colleges in the United States. Would I have ever thought that his best interests wouldn't be at heart? No."
Kelly directly addressed that damning allegation almost immediately upon standing in front of reporters today.
"There are many things I can't say because it is pending litigation, obviously, 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 who was there virtually every single day. We love Greg. We love him for the person that he is, the competitor that he is, and the battler that he is, and we can only wish him continued progress as he goes through an incredibly difficult time."
"It was important for me to set the record clear as to my care and my love for Greg Jr. during this very difficult time."
"You can question me as a football coach. You can question me in terms of the things that we do on the field. 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."
The lawsuit by the fifth-year senior alleges, among other things, that LSU coaches threatened his starting spot and forced him to play while ill, trainers misdiagnosed his rare form of brain cancer, and that his surgeon caused major neurological injuries that have left him permanently disabled.
Brooks spent his first three seasons at Arkansas before transferring to LSU in 2022.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest, and hear more from Brian Kelly in the clip.