Brian Kelly at SEC Media Days 2024: 3 interesting things LSU HC said at Dallas event

The Brian Kelly at SEC Media Days 2024 tour is on. Now entering his third year at LSU, Kelly has gone 20-7 in two seasons but is still looking for the national breakthrough the Tigers haven't quite reached. He spoke his mind quite clearly on a multitude of topics, so here are three takeaways from Brian Kelly's SEC Media Days 2024.

3 interesting things said by LSU HC Brian Kelly at SEC Media Days 2024

New starting QB Garrett Nussmeier was a major topic for Brian Kelly at SEC Media Days 2024. (Photo credit: IMAGN)

#1, Brian Kelly isn't settling for 10 wins

Kelly was direct in his ultimate goals for the LSU program, and said as much:

"Being in the playoff and playing for championships is the measuring stick and we fell short of that," admitted Kelly. He later clarified, "I let go of my entire defensive staff, so I knew we needed to get better.

Kelly was later asked about the Tigers' 55-49 loss to Ole Miss. He commented:

"[That game] really cost us a chance at the playoff. It gave us a mark of where we can't go again."

Indeed, a defense that allowed 28.0 points per game and 417 yards per game often held back the Tigers in 2023. That's why Kelly brought in Missouri defensive coordinator Blake Baker to run his defense. Baker's got plenty to work with, but the goal is clearly playoffs or bust.

#2, Brian Kelly is pleased with Garrett Nussmeier's progress

LSU was led by Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, who's now in the NFL. The Tigers settled on backup Garrett Nussmeier, who looked sharp in their Reliaquest Bowl win over Wisconsin, recording 395 passing yards and three TDs. While some outside the program wondered about the situation, Kelly is sold on the QB and acknowledged that his starting QB has taken control:

"It's his car, and you can tell by the way he's driving that he's proud of this car. You can see the leadership coming together as the starting quarterback."

#3, LSU to play in Ireland soon?

Among the tidbits that came up at Media Days is Kelly's desire for LSU to play a football game in Ireland. Presumably, Kelly is harkening back to his time at Notre Dame, when the Irish made a trip to the Emerald Isle in 2012, beating Navy 50-10. The Irish made another trip to Ireland in 2023, but of course, Kelly was at LSU by that time.

There are college football games slated for Ireland in the 2024, 2025, and 2027 seasons, so this is a story worth watching. Of course, LSU opens this season in Las Vegas, which might have seemed like a long road trip, but not compared to Ireland.

How high are your expectations for LSU in 2024, and what did you take away from Brian Kelly at the SEC Media Days 2024?