It's much more likely that he went back to work for Kelly because it was the best option to advance his career at the time than it was out of any sense of loyalty, duty, or desire.

He had just been fired and Kelly had an opening at the QB spot because of Denbrock's promotion following Chuck Martin taking his talents (and running game) to Oxford, OH.

Throw in the fact that Shanahan hadn't landed anywhere and had a few options, but ultimately settled in ATL (where LaFleur immediately went) and it all makes a lot more sense.

Should have been an obvious follow up question from the reporter.

Where has anyone suggested that LaFleur hated Kelly?


As for working for him again, it was interesting, when you read the article. Once the Redskins staff was all let go, he came to ND.

Shanahan ended up in Cleveland, for one season, before going to Atlanta, and bringing LaFleur back into the fold.

"And then after that, after we all got fired, he went to Notre Dame for a year, I went to Cleveland. It was really my only year without him. Once I got out of there and went to Atlanta, I knew I was going to bring him back right away."

If you dig into it some more, Shanahan was hired by Pettine when he became the new HC of the Browns. Shanahan interviewed with the Ravens and Dolphins as well. It was announced in early February.

LaFleur was announced as a hire at ND earlier

LaFleur hired by ND Article


Seems like Shanahan wasn't sure where he was going after being fired on 12/30, and so LaFleur grabbed the job at ND, which he left as soon as Shanahan found stability again in Atlanta the following year.

From the ND side. Chuck Martin became the HC at Miami(OH) in early December following the 2013 season (along with Diaco and some other changes). First, Denbrock was promoted to be the OC for Chuck Martin during the bowl game.

Keith Arnold article about options

Slap the Sign Article

Basically Kelly decided, after the bowl game to promote Denbrock and created the need for a QB coach (after he did it for the bowl).

LaFleur became an option 2 days after the ND bowl game.

None of that suggests LaFleur hates Kelly. It still doesn't make the behavior OK either, but I think LaFleur's quick tenure at ND and the quotes from Shanahan were instructive.

I said I "hated" Kelly, not that LaFleur did.

Let me make a point I decided not to make in my original post.

Given the enormous challenge it is to work your way up the coaching ranks, and given the perceived status of working at Notre Dame (at least in the eyes of some, yet), I can certainly understand why a young coach might hold his nose and come to work for a guy for whom he didn't have the utmost respect.

I suppose I'd land on, "It was crappy, but not crappy enough to keep LaFleur from working again for Kelly in the interest of advancing his career."