Nick Saban reveals what he told Brian Kelly about the LSU head coaching opportunity

Brian Kelly took a risk this offseason, leaving Notre Dame and packing his bags to head south for the LSU job. Spending his coaching career in the midwest, Kelly will now be facing the challenge of the SEC on a weekly basis with the Tigers.

Before taking the job, Kelly spoke with Nick Saban about LSU and what the job entails. Saban revealed what he hold Kelly on Wednesday, speaking highly of the program in general. He thinks Kelly will do an “outstanding job” in Baton Rouge as his first season gets underway on Sunday vs. Florida State.

“It’s a good job,” Saban said. “A lot of passionate fans there. People in Louisiana are great people. I think they have a great opportunity, they have great history, and they have a great tradition. I told him I thought he would do an outstanding job there.”

Now going head to head on an annual basis, Saban says facing Kelly will be “challenging” for the Alabama program. LSU has always been a competitive game for the Crimson Tide, no matter the head coach. Now with somebody as accomplished as Kelly running the show, Saban is ready for the test.

“It’s certainly going to be challenging for us. They’ve always had good personnel and they’ve got a really good coach. Not that they haven’t had good coaches in the past but now, a real challenging situation for us. But I am sure he will do a great job there.”

Saban spent four seasons with LSU, winning a national championship. He wound up leaving for the NFL before returning back to the college game with Alabama.

Brian Kelly, Nick Saban have brief history

Saban and Kelly have faced off against each other twice, with both being high stakes.

The first came in 2012, with Alabama and Notre Dame facing off in the BCS National Championship. It was a lopsided one, with the Crimson Tide winning back-to-back titles for the first time under Saban.

Kelly got his chance at redemption eight years later, with the two historic programs meeting in a postseason setting once again. Alabama was able to outlast Notre Dame in a make-shift Rose Bowl, sending them to the College Football Playoff championship.

Now, there will be an annual midfield handshake between the two coaches. The first will come in November, with Saban taking his squad back to Baton Rouge on Nov. 5.