LSU coach Brian Kelly began his media presence after practice on Saturday by expressing his condolences to the family of New Orleans sportscaster Ed Daniels, who died on Friday.

Daniels, 67, suffered a massive heart attack while covering the New Orleans Saints training camp in Irvine, California, and never regained consciousness.

As the longtime sports director at WGNO-TV in New Orleans, Daniels covered the prep scene as well as the college and professional scenes with equal enthusiasm and verve during a career that spanned more than four and a half decades.

“We lost a great man in Ed, he lost his battle here the other day,” Kelly said. “I think we all know him here in the state of Louisiana as a passionate sports reporter.”

“The work he did was incredible, whether in high school, college or the pros.”

Kelly said he last saw Daniels last month at the Southeastern Conference media days in Dallas and Daniels had his own camera with him.

“Unlike some of you elitists here, he had his own camera,” Kelly jokingly told reporters. “Actually, he was waiting for a couple of guys, but that was just his style.”

“I only knew him for a few years, but those who knew him longer will certainly miss him.”