LSU Tigers Head Coach Brian Kelly is getting set to face off against one of his former assistants for the first time this week. Texas A&M HC Mike Elko served as Kelly’s defensive coordinator at Notre Dame in 2017. Elko only served on Kelly’s staff for one year but has said he learned a lot from the winningest coach in Notre Dame football history.
In fact, Brian Kelly is currently the winningest active coach in college football. Since joining the LSU Tigers, Kelly has led them to impressive back-to-back ten-win seasons. The Tigers have been competitive and a constant contender in the Kelly era.
LSU Tigers’ Brian Kelly Looking for Signature Win
Brian Kelly is looking forward to the challenge Texas A&M represents. The Tigers and the Aggies have taken similar paths to this point of the season. Both LSU and Texas A&M losing in week one to non-conference ranked opponents. Then quickly following that up with six straight wins. Both Brian Kelly and Mike Elko have coached their teams well, exceeding expectations of the season. The LSU Tigers will be looking for a signature win against the Aggies this weekend, in hopes it can launch their season further towards the SEC Championship and a College Football Playoff berth.
A Mutual Respect Between Foes
Coaches Brian Kelly and Mike Elko may have only worked together for one season at Notre Dame, but it certainly left an impact on both of them. Each coach has come out talking about the challenges their team will face this week as they square off against each other. Coach Elko has said he was very impressed with Brian Kelly when they worked together at Notre Dame. Elko would also point out that he thinks Kelly doesn’t get enough credit for being one of college football’s greatest coaches. Seemingly everywhere Coach Brian Kelly has been, he has found quick success and turned the program into a winner.
LSU has been able to lean on first year starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier while their rushing attack slowly comes along. Nussmeier has played far above expectations under Coach Brian Kelly. On the other hand, Texas A&M has had to lean much more on their running game. Quarterback Connor Weigman has struggled to make big plays through the air.
The LSU Tigers could find a path to victory if they can just shut down the Aggies running game and force Weigman to try and beat them through the air. The Tigers go into Kyle Field an underdog in this highly anticipated clash between SEC foes. This will be the first meeting of Brian Kelly and Mike Elko as opposing head coaches, but it certainly won’t be the last.
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