“I could not be more excited to join a program with the commitment to excellence, rich traditions, and unrivaled pride and passion of LSU Football,” Kelly said in a statement released by the school.
Kelly, in his 12th season at Notre Dame, will replace Ed Orgeron, whom LSU announced on Oct.
Kelly, 60, became the winningest coach in Notre Dame history earlier this season, surpassing Knute Rockne.
“He has built and sustained success at every program he’s led, from multiple undefeated regular seasons and National Coach of the Year honors to national titles and College Football Playoff berths.
He sent a group text to the Notre Dame players late Monday night informing them he would be leaving and apologized that they found out “through social media or news reports.” Kelly told the players he would share more with them during a 7 a.m.
6 in the latest CFP rankings, completed an 11-1 season on Saturday, and it still is in contention to reach its third College Football Playoff in four years.
Kelly last week addressed the possibility of leaving Notre Dame for another job, telling reporters, “No.
He has his undefeated Bearcats on the cusp of the College Football Playoff, if they can win their matchup against Houston on Saturday in the AAC championship game.
Kelly is 263-96-2 as a college coach, with two Division II national titles at Grand Valley State and 10 AP top-10 finishes.
He has not been able to add a national championship, but the Irish have been winning at a clip they haven’t reached since Lou Holtz led the program in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
It took a while for Kelly to find the right mix of coaching staff and recruiting strategy to turn the Irish into a consistent national contender.
LSU finished a 6-6 regular season on Saturday, upsetting Texas A&M at home in what was Orgeron’s last game.
LSU had been connected to various coaches, including Fisher, whom Orgeron beat on Saturday and who has vehemently denied that he is leaving Texas A&M for any job this offseason.