Brian Kelly, the former head coach of Notre Dame and LSU, is set to become a familiar voice on CBS’s college‑football coverage this fall. After his $54 million buyout from LSU was finalized last November, the coach was forced to look beyond the sidelines, and he has now turned to broadcasting as part of a three‑person booth that will call Mountain West games.
From Sideline to Studio
Kelly will join CBS Sports Network’s flagship program Inside College Football as a regular analyst, while also making occasional appearances on the network’s NFL Draft coverage from April. His debut on the air will come alongside veteran play‑by‑play announcers Brad Nessler and Charles Davis, who together broadcast one Big Ten contest each week.
The arrangement marks a swift transition from a career that spanned 22 seasons of college‑football head coaching to a new role as a media analyst. Despite his expressed desire to return to coaching and build another program, the terms of his buyout require him to remain active in either coaching or media, a condition that has steered him toward the broadcast booth.
Fans have been vocal about the novelty of hearing Kelly’s distinctive Mid‑western accent on television, and many are curious whether his schedule on CBS will allow him to keep a foot in the coaching world. The network’s partnership with properties such as Front Office Sports and USA Today underscores the broader reach of the coverage.
While the exact impact of Kelly’s analytical style on the network’s ratings remains to be seen, his presence is expected to add a fresh perspective to the network’s college‑football slate, which already features a rotating cast of commentators including Gary Danielson.
Looking Ahead
As the season unfolds, Kelly’s commentary will be closely watched by both fans and fellow analysts, who will assess whether his on‑air presence can translate into the same level of strategic insight that defined his coaching tenure.