Sports

Kelly says he pushed assistant to 'control the sideline'

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said he was trying to control the sideline when he grabbed and shoved assistant coach David Grimes during the 9th ranked Fighting Irish’s 24-20 victory against Number 21 Temple on Saturday night.

Kelly was seen during the ESPN broadcast grabbing the former Notre Dame wide receiver by his pullover and pushing him in the chest, away from the sideline as an official was talking to Grimes.

Notre Dame strength and conditioning coordinator Paul Longo stepped in between Kelly and Grimes.

“David was going to get us a 15-yard penalty,” Kelly said during his postgame news conference. “I have to control the sideline. I wasn’t going to let that happen. He got a little too close and I backed him up out of the way to make sure we didn’t get a 15-yard penalty.”

On Sunday, Kelly said he doesn’t believe he owes Grimes an apology.

Kelly said that people who have commented that he owes Grimes an apology don’t know exactly what happened, saying: “only those that are clearly near the situation and have all the information can make those judgments.”

Kelly wouldn’t say whether he had taken any action against Grimes, calling it an internal personnel matter.

Grimes has been an assistant strength and conditioning coach for Kelly since 2012 and was an Irish wide receiver from 2005-08.

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