Brian Kelly Punches Back at Dabo Swinney

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports | By Jay Berry | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 10:57 AM ET

In a tense season opener at Death Valley, then-No. 9 LSU (1-0) edged out then-No. 4 Clemson (0-1) with a 17-10 victory, reigniting a rivalry that has simmered since LSU’s dominant 2019 National Championship win.

The game was a back-and-forth battle, with LSU trailing 10-3 at halftime before mounting a comeback in the second half thanks to quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s 278 passing yards and an 8-yard touchdown pass to Trey’Dez Green. Clemson’s offense struggled, behing held to just 31 rushing yards and hampered by two sacks on Cade Klubnik, who finished with 230 passing yards but an interception.

The narrow margin of victory set the stage for a post-game war of words between coaches Brian Kelly and Dabo Swinney as Kelly fired back at Swinney’s critical assessment of the game, escalating tensions and highlighting the competitive stakes in college football’s early season.

War of Words

LSU’s narrow victory over Clemson in their season opener has sparked a public feud between coaches Kelly and Swinney, highlighting tensions in today’s college football competitive landscape. Kelly’s sharp response to Swinney’s critical assessment of the game, where the long-time Clemson coach likened the performance to a poor exam grade. This underscores a growing rivalry and differing coaching philosophies. The backstory of the programs’ history includes LSU’s championship win over Clemson, adding fuel to the current exchange and elevating the stakes for both programs—although Kelly was not part of that LSU staff.

Kelly’s emphasis on LSU’s second-half dominance, despite a close score, reflects a strategic focus on defensive improvements and Nussmeier’s performance which could shape LSU’s season trajectory, as Kelly desperately needs to make the College Football Playoff after three underachieving seasons. Swinney’s frustration with Clemson’s offensive struggles, particularly their inability to maintain momentum, points to ongoing challenges for the Tigers against SEC teams—a trend since their 2019 loss.

This public spat could influence fan perceptions and media narratives, potentially affecting recruitment and team morale as both coaches navigate the pressure of early-season expectations. The exchange also mirrors broader themes in college football where early games can set the tone for playoff contention and coaching legacies, especially with the expanded playoff format looming. It also shows the competitive nature of the high stakes game of college football.

Moving Forward

With the 12-team playoff, one loss is not as big of a deal as before. However, a game one loss makes the stakes even higher for No. 8 Clemson moving forward. No. LSU will play Louisiana Tech (1-0) on Sept. 6, while Clemson will face Troy (1-0) on Sept. 6.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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