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Brian Kelly throws shade at 'Death Valley Jr.' Clemson

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Jul 24, 2025 5:44 PM ET

LSU head football coach Brian Kelly threw some shade at Clemson with a “Death Valley Jr.” barb ahead of the upcoming matchup between the two schools.

Kelly was speaking at the Baton Rouge Rotary Club on Wednesday and was talking about LSU’s attention to detail and habit-building.

“You want great habits when they’re needed. When you’re on the road and you’re playing in Death Valley Jr. — not the Death Valley — you need those traits on a daily basis,” Kelly said.

"Death Valley Junior… not THE Death Valley!" pic.twitter.com/a0xGxDhTwK
— Hunter McCann (@mccann_hunter) July 23, 2025

Kelly’s barb was at Clemson, which has been calling Frank Howard Field at Clemson Memorial Stadium “Death Valley” since 1948 — not long after the stadium was built. The nickname stemmed from a description given to the stadium and its fans by an opposing coach.

Around a similar time, LSU’s Tiger Stadium began being called “Deaf Valley” by some because of how loud it is, though others called it Death Valley. The nickname has stuck, and more people call it Death Valley than Tiger Stadium.

Clemson’s stadium environment may have been called “Death Valley” first, but now both are well-known for the name.

The teams are set to meet at Clemson’s Death Valley on Aug. 30 in what will be the first game of the season for both teams.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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