Brian Kelly was fired from LSU last October after a tenure that ended with significant controversy. The 64-year-old coach posted a 34-14 record with the Tigers but couldn’t escape criticism following his departure.
Kelly remains Notre Dame’s all-time winningest head coach with a 113-40 record during his 12 seasons in South Bend.
His future in college football remains uncertain. Some within the Notre Dame program believe he’ll coach again at the highest level. Others question whether Kelly fits in today’s game.
Mixed Reviews on Kelly’s Future
Jerome Bettis, the former Notre Dame running back, expressed confidence in Kelly’s coaching future during the 2026 American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Resort.
“I think he definitely has a future in coaching. He’s been a great coach his entire career,” Bettis said. “Yeah, he didn’t win a championship for LSU, but they were competitive every year. He produced a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback with Jayden Daniels.”
Bettis pointed to Kelly’s track record across multiple programs.
“He’s done some really good things, and he’s the winningest coach in Notre Dame’s history. He won championships in Division II at Grand Valley State. He took Cincinnati to prominence. His track record is impeccable. So 100% he’ll be coaching in the future.”
Concerns About Modern College Football
Joe Theismann sounded less optimistic about Kelly’s prospects in today’s college football landscape.
“It’s hard. It’s really hard to tell what they’re looking for. I don’t know what universities are looking for,” the former Notre Dame quarterback said.
The introduction of NIL deals and revenue-sharing payments to players has changed how programs operate.
“Brian had a heck of a record at the University of Notre Dame. He built it over time. At LSU, there wasn’t a time frame that seemed to work out. I think it revolves around the athletes you have; the quarterback that you have makes a world of difference,” Theismann said.
Kathryn Tappen, NBC’s Notre Dame sideline reporter, praised Kelly for maintaining the program’s standards during his time in South Bend. She didn’t speculate on his coaching future but acknowledged his impact on the Fighting Irish.
Kelly’s relationship with Notre Dame fans remains complicated despite his on-field success. Many fans still view his departure unfavorably, even as former players and media members recognize his accomplishments.
No Power 4 programs have publicly expressed interest in Kelly since his LSU firing. His next move in college football remains unclear as the sport continues evolving with new financial structures and player compensation models.
