Brian Kelly responds to Rutgers coaching rumors after Greg Schiano’s latest loss raises questions about his future
Brian Kelly breaks silence on Rutgers head coach rumors and possible return
Kelly is currently working as a college football analyst for CBS Sports and SiriusXM after LSU fired him in October 2025. The 64-year-old did not confirm any talks with the university, but he made it clear that he would consider an opportunity if it suited both sides. The Scarlet Knights suffered a 28-21 loss to Michigan on October 31, leaving them with a 2-6 overall record and a 1-4 conference record this season. His salary for the 2026 season is $6.75 million, while his reported buyout could reach around $18.5 million if Rutgers parts ways with him after the season, according to FOX Sports. NJ.com’s reporting has also placed the figure at approximately $17.3 million, depending on the timing of his departure. His current contract runs through the 2029 season, which makes a coaching change an expensive decision. He has a 92-39 record from his time at Notre Dame and went 34-14 during his four seasons at LSU. His overall record across his coaching career stands at 297-109-2, according to Front Office Sports.
If something, you know, opens up that looks like a good fit for both sides, I won’t close the door on it. However, no confirmed offer or coaching agreement has been reported. Still, Kelly has not confirmed that Rutgers is his preferred destination, and he also spoke positively about Schiano during the interview, calling him a friend and saying he hoped Rutgers would win its remaining games.
If it materializes, we’ll certainly listen,” Kelly said. Brian Kelly has addressed the growing rumours linking him to the Rutgers head coaching job after his departure from LSU. The former Fighting Irish and Tigers coach has made it clear that he is open to returning to college football if the right opportunity comes along. His comments have attracted attention as Rutgers struggles under Greg Schiano, whose future could become a major talking point after another disappointing loss. However, he has not completely moved on from coaching. In an interview with Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, Kelly was asked about reports connecting him to Rutgers and whether he would consider returning to the sidelines. “I mean, I think this is the normal period of time where, when I’ve been in the coaching business, I’ve always been deflecting all of those, ‘Hey, I’m taking another job. Now I’m out of it, and the natural is that, you know, your name’s going to come up. It’s way too early for me to entertain any of those thoughts. He also explained that his current work with CBS is important to him and that he is not simply waiting for another coaching job. “Certainly, this is not a stopover for me. I’ve put all of my time and effort into being the best I can for CBS. But on the other hand, I love the work that I’m doing with CBS,” he added. Kelly has also been linked to other Power Four programmes, including Maryland, Baylor and NC State. The rumours come as Rutgers continues to struggle in the Big Ten under Greg Schiano. The defeat added to the pressure on Schiano, but replacing him would not be an easy decision for the university. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines That is a major amount for Rutgers to consider, especially when the team has not produced the results expected from its football programme. Kelly could become an experienced option if Rutgers decides to explore a new head coach. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.