Brian Kelly is in a lot better mood — and $10 poorer — following his media availability on Monday.
The LSU coach, whose team is coming off a 65-17 victory over Southern, showed up late to his media availability this week.
In a humorous nod to last week's brief spat with Baton Rouge Advocate reporter Leah Vann, he immediately slapped $10 on the podium as a penalty for his tardiness.
Brian Kelly was late for todays presser so he paid a $10 fine. A rule he put in last week.
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) September 12, 2022
All of the reporters showed up on time because they won this week. pic.twitter.com/FU9HwDKC0z
Kelly's own tardiness did not excuse Vann, however; he still claimed she owed him $10 for being late last week (to which she virally responded, "Maybe if you win, I'll be on time").
MORE: LSU's Brian Kelly chides reporter for being late, reporter responds with zinger about FSU loss
"I pay my debts," Kelly said. "I'll take a money order from the Advocate. I don't take a check. Because it may bounce."
Responded Vann: "Mine won't."
Kelly again joked with Vann, saying, "Oh yours, it's — it's personal. I thought it was a business expense."
That's certainly a far cry from last week's media availability, when the Tigers coach was on time and chided the reporters in attendance for being late. And it's good to see he and Vann still have a positive rapport following last week's interaction. (Granted, it's a lot easier to be easygoing following a win than the 24-23 loss to Florida State in Week 1.)
MORE: Blocked! Florida State ruins Brian Kelly's uneven LSU debut in stunning fashion
It's worth noting Vann apologized on Twitter for her retort to Kelly, saying he took it as a joke when she spoke to him about it after the fact:
I know Brian Kelly likes to joke. He clearly took it as one from our conversation afterward. All in good fun, fam.
— Leah Vann (@LVann_Sports) September 6, 2022
Now, the only remaining point of contention is whether Vann will pay the $10 Kelly believes she owes. Considering his salary at LSU ($95 million over 10 years) it might be easy for him to miss.
But he also clearly is a man of principle, as evidenced by his willingness to pay his $10 penalty.
