A New Chapter in the Broadcast Booth
Brian Kelly, the veteran coach who guided LSU through a turbulent 2025 season, is set to make a high‑profile return to the broadcast booth. Starting in the 2026‑27 college football season, Kelly will join CBS as a commentator for Mountain West matchups and will serve as a regular analyst on the network’s flagship program, Inside College Football.
His arrival on CBS comes after a dramatic exit from LSU. The university terminated his contract midway through the season after a 5‑3 start, a move that triggered a $54 million buyout clause. The decision underscored the pressure‑cooker environment at the program and marked the end of a four‑year stint that yielded a 34‑14 record, including two ten‑win campaigns.
Kelly’s coaching pedigree stretches back two decades, beginning at Central Michigan before he ascended to the head‑coach role at Notre Dame, where he became the school’s all‑time winningest coach and led the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff on two occasions. His success at both private and public institutions cemented his reputation as a program‑builder.
The coaching carousel this year proved especially fierce. With thirty‑two FBS openings on the table — seventeen of them in Power Four conferences — many former coaches found themselves without a new landing spot. Kelly, who has publicly expressed a desire to return to the sidelines, joins a growing list of experienced tacticians turning to media as a way to stay connected to the game.
Beyond the analyst desk, Kelly says he remains eager to mentor the next generation of players and coaches. He hopes his next coaching opportunity will allow him to build a sustainable program that balances competitiveness with player development, a goal that has defined much of his career.