Brian Kelly joins Nick Saban, Steve Sarkisian and others who abruptly left for new positions

It’s a scene that sports fans hate to see. So, let’s set it up:

Your team is having a successful season. The head coach’s name is floated for a position elsewhere. Slight panic sets in. But then that coach says everything the fans — and players, of course — want to hear, that he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Breathe that sigh of relief.

It’s a scene that many know oh too well. Coaches double down on their current position — then end up leaving for greener pastures. Though it doesn’t always happen, it can. And it does. The result of such a move causes a bombardment of emotions — from anger to sadness to pure confusion.

Unfortunately, there is a large carousel of college coaches who have said one thing and done the complete opposite. Here’s a look at some notable “misunderstandings,” which then left the colleges, athletic directors, players and recruits in scramble mode.

Brian Kelly: “Unless that fairy godmother comes by with that $250 million check”

The former Notre Dame football coach left the program this week as the winningest head coach in program history with 113 victories in 12 seasons (including vacated wins).

On Nov. 22, Kelly addressed the possibility of leaving Notre Dame for another job, telling reporters: “No. I mean, [Pittsburgh Steelers coach] Mike Tomlin had the best line, right? Unless that fairy godmother comes by with that $250 million check, my wife would want to take a look at it first. I’d have to run it by her.”

But eight days later, LSU announced it had signed Kelly, 60, to a 10-year, $95 million contract. It was a stunning move that Kelly said he didn’t even see as a possibility.

“There was no plan in place as I entered the 2021 season that I was looking for another opportunity,” Kelly said…