Former LSU football coach Brian Kelly has found himself a new gig just in time for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Kelly, who had a 34-14 record at LSU, was fired during the 2025 season. The athletic department reached its breaking point after a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M. It was a disappointing ending to an era that never truly lived up to the hype.
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“We had high hopes that he would lead us to multiple SEC and national championships during his time in Baton Rouge,” then LSU athletic director Scott Woodward said. “Ultimately, the success at the level that LSU demands simply did not materialize, and I made the decision to make a change after last night’s game.”
LSU was so eager to part ways with Kelly that its boosters were willing to eat his $54 million buyout.
Oct 11, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly looks on against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
As part of Kelly’s buyout, he must make “good-faith, reasonable and sustained efforts to obtain” a new job. Well, it appears he has found a new gig for himself.
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On Tuesday night, CBS Sports Network had Kelly on its panel to discuss the upcoming NFL Draft. He had nothing but high praise for this year’s wide receiver class, which features Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson.
“This is an all-you-can-eat buffet when it comes to wide receivers,” Kelly said on CBS Sports Network.
Will Brian Kelly coach again?
During an appearance on SiriusXM’s “Dusty and Danny in the Morning” last month, Kelly made it known that he hasn’t slammed the door shut on coaching.
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“I don’t know that I’ve made the decision that I want to get back in, as all the things we’ve talked about, I’d want to see some changes. But I think while you wait, you need to work. And so, I need to stay in the game. My first order of business is this next two, three weeks, I’m gonna be visiting some places to see spring ball, get a chance to see some things relative to the football side, the operational side, some of the things we talked about today with NIL, transfer and calendar, and get a temperature in the spring for some things,” Kelly said, via On3.
“I want to do that in the fall, too. I want to get out and — look, I’ve got four former assistant coaches that are head football coaches in the NFL. I’ve got four Power Four assistant coaches that we’re close to. I want to get around and see their program, see how they’re doing, get a sense of where I can grow and I can be better. And so, that’s really my focus right now. And then if the right situation comes about and I’m ready, I’m certainly going to entertain that.”
Maybe, just maybe, Kelly will receive an intriguing offer from a college football team next offseason.
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This story was originally published by The Spun on Apr 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
