Brian Kelly, the former head coach of Notre Dame and LSU, is set to become a on‑air analyst for CBS Sports this college‑football season, bringing his strategic insight to a schedule that highlights Mountain West matchups.
From the Locker Room to the Broadcast Booth
Kelly spent 22 seasons orchestrating programs at the highest level of college football, a stretch that included stints at Grand Valley State, Cincinnati, and ultimately LSU, where he guided the Tigers to a 10‑3 record before being dismissed after a single season.
The university’s decision to part ways with Kelly came with a $54 million buyout, a financial hurdle that forced the coach to pivot toward opportunities in media, where his voice could still shape the sport’s narrative.
CBS has secured a weekly Big Ten game, pairing veteran play‑by‑play voices Brad Nessler and Charles Davis with Kelly in a three‑person booth that will also cover a slate of Mountain West contests, giving the network a fresh perspective on mid‑major conference play.
Inside College Football and the Road Ahead
Beyond the booth, Kelly will appear regularly on CBS Sports Network’s weekday program Inside College Football, where he will dissect trends, break down recruiting cycles, and offer commentary that reflects his hands‑on coaching experience.
Fans have already begun speculating about how Kelly’s distinctive cadence and Midwestern inflection might influence the network’s coverage, especially as viewers notice subtle shifts in his speech when he discusses teams from his recent past.
While Kelly has expressed a desire to return to the sidelines someday, for now his focus is on delivering analysis that bridges the gap between strategy and spectacle, a transition that could redefine how former coaches engage with the next generation of fans.