In the midst of a mostly-positive press conference on the eve of Brian Kelly’s first spring practice session at LSU, the new head coach chose to step into the murky legal waters surrounding the lawsuit filed by former associate athletic director Sharon Lewis. Kelly was asked directly about the status of running backs coach and associate head coach Frank Wilson who has been added to Lewis’ complaint.
“We know of no lawsuit that has been filed regarding those allegations that were made,” said Kelly. “So his status here has unchanged.”
While Wilson’s status may be unchanged with regards to his position on Kelly’s staff, LSU should be aware that Lewis amended her lawsuit earlier this month alleging that Wilson showed her his genitals and harassed another female employee as well. USA Today has reported it interviewed two other women with similar allegations against Wilson. Kelly pushed back against those reports.
“We consider those as being egregious, and simply allegations that were unfounded,” he said.
Lewis alleges the incident occurred in 2013 when Wilson was a member of Les Miles’ staff, and that she reported it to two other associate ADs at the university without any investigation made or action taken. Wilson could also be attached to the NCAA’s Notice of Allegations citing a lack of institutional control within the football program over multiple years. Regardless, Kelly says he’s in Wilson’s corner.
“It does not affect Frank Wilson and the person that we know,” Kelly said. “And we stand behind him firmly as a member of our staff.”
Wilson was hired away from McNeese State in December of last year and is considered one of the top recruiters in the country.
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