Clemson’s head coach had fans and media in stitches after accidentally texting LSU’s Brian Kelly pictures from a Florida Georgia Line concert. One letter. Total chaos.
With the 2025 college football season just weeks away, coaches are beginning to lock in and prepare for kickoff. But before the high-stakes matchups resume and helmets start clashing, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney gave fans something a little lighter—and a lot funnier—to chew on. And yes, it involves country music, mistaken identity, and a very confused SEC rival.
During a media session this week, Swinney shared a story so outrageous and so purely Dabo that it’s already making the rounds as an offseason classic. It all began with what should’ve been a relaxing Florida vacation… and ended with a case of mistaken identity that had Swinney firing off texts to the wrong Brian Kelly.
Yes, you read that right.
One Brian, Two Careers, Endless Confusion
The story kicks off in Grayton Beach, Florida, where Swinney’s sister-in-law casually mentions that “Brian Kelley’s wife owns a store on the corner.” Dabo, naturally, believes she’s referring to LSU head coach Brian Kelly, whose team Clemson just so happens to face in the season opener on August 30.
And so the confusion begins.
Swinney, who clearly lives and breathes college football, never considered that Brian Kelley with an ‘E’ might be someone else entirely. Like, say, the former Florida Georgia Line member who now performs solo and has an actual concert venue behind his wife’s beachside gift shop.
“Brian Kelly Can Sing?!”
“So we go there and I walk into the store,” Swinney told the press, recalling the moment. “Kathleen [his wife] buys something because she’s trying to support Mrs. Kelley or whatever… I walk out the back and there’s a little stage with some fake grass, and it says ‘Brian Kelley performing live.’ I’m going, ‘Freaking A, Brian Kelly can sing and play? I didn’t know that.’”
Fully convinced he’s just stumbled upon LSU’s head coach moonlighting as a country star, Dabo does what any wide-eyed fan might do—he starts taking pictures. Then he proceeds to text them to LSU’s Brian Kelly himself, blissfully unaware of the mix-up.
Imagine being Brian Kelly, sitting at home preparing for your biggest season yet, when a flurry of random concert photos hits your phone—courtesy of your upcoming opponent’s head coach.
“He’s Probably Going, ‘What the Hell Is This Guy Doing?’”
By the time Swinney realized the Brian Kelley in question was actually the country artist—not the college football coach—it was already too late.
“I’ve done fired off all these pictures to Brian Kelly,” Swinney admitted, still laughing at himself. “He’s probably over there going, ‘What the hell? This guy’s an idiot.’”
The cherry on top? Dabo never cleared up the confusion with LSU’s Kelly until that very media session. And now, of course, the whole country knows.
To LSU’s credit, Brian Kelly handled the strange exchange like a pro, reportedly texting Swinney back with a witty one-liner: “Just can’t get away from Brian Kelly.”
No hard feelings—just one wildly viral offseason moment that has both fanbases buzzing ahead of a heavyweight opening clash.
Dabo Being Dabo
This isn’t the first time Dabo Swinney has gone viral for his unfiltered, storytelling style. Since taking over the Clemson program in 2009, Swinney has delivered more than just wins—he’s delivered personality, heart, and a never-ending supply of memorable press conference moments.
But this mix-up between Brian Kelly, the coach, and Brian Kelley, the country star, might just take the cake. It’s peak offseason comedy, and it couldn’t come at a better time.
Football fans everywhere are itching for action. And while depth charts and injury updates are important, it’s stories like this that keep the sport fun and unpredictable—even in July.
Clemson vs. LSU: The Real Showdown
Circle August 30 on your calendar. That’s when Swinney and Kelly will go head-to-head—not on a stage with guitars, but on the gridiron under the bright lights.
The showdown between Clemson and LSU will be one of college football’s marquee opening weekend matchups. It’s a clash of Tigers, coaching giants, and playoff hopefuls. But thanks to this offseason gem, it’ll also come with an inside joke shared by millions.
Whether Dabo gets serenaded with a Florida Georgia Line tune before kickoff remains to be seen.
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