Brian Kelly On Working With GM, Front Office In CFB: "It's Why I Never Went To The NFL"

During his post-practice press conference on Tuesday, coach Brian Kelly was asked about working with LSU General Manager Austin Thomas and the front office staff they have put together to guide them through the new era of college football.

Kelly explained how Thomas and his staff shoulder the front office piece so that he can focus on the day-to-day football operations.

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"For 34 years, I’ve effectively signed the scholarship checks and been primary in putting together a roster," Kelly said. "It’s been such a centralized operation for my entire career and evolved around what my thoughts were and my decisions."

"Now, I’ve advocated some of that to the 'front office.' I don’t want to paint the picture that I’m not involved in those decisions, but we’ve hired a great GM and a front office staff that can handle a lot of that stuff for me. That allows me to stay focused on our players because there’s no way I could be negotiating contracts and working towards some of the creative ways through revenue sharing on a day-to-day basis. There just isn't enough time to do it."

"I’m in a new territory. I’ve adapted to it quite well, and I’ve empowered the guys that are really good at that stuff, and they’re doing a great job."

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Kelly also said he never imagined a day when he would be working with a GM in College Football, even saying it was part of the reason why he never went to coach in the pros.

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"No, it's kind of one of the reasons why I never went to the NFL," Kelly joked.

"I just felt like with all my years, it was going to be hard for me to give that piece up. But it's been a lot easier because I like who I'm working with. They love LSU and are committed to their work."

"It's made that transition a lot easier, and I probably should have taken some of those NFL jobs they were offering years ago... I'm kidding."

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