Former LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly Named As $52.8M Coach’s Potential Replacement

Brian Kelly left the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the LSU Tigers with the goal of winning a national championship. However, his tenure in Baton Rouge ended in his fourth year when he was fired by the Tigers on Oct. 26.

Since then, Kelly’s name has been mentioned as a possible candidate for multiple current or rumored head coaching openings in college football, including those at Penn State, UCLA, and Arkansas. Another new program has also recently joined the list of his potential destinations.

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On Tuesday’s episode of The McShay Show, ESPN’s Bruce Feldman mentioned one possible Big Ten destination for Brian Kelly’s next coaching role.

“Like the one job I could see him maybe at is if Michigan State does open up,” Feldman said (6:30). “You know, he’s got a lakehouse up there. I could see it. Um, but after that, I just don’t see him go like when some of these Group of Five jobs, you know, end up popping open because guys end up leaving for other jobs, whether it’s USF or Memphis or North Texas. I don’t see Brian Kelly wanting one of those jobs, right?

“I think there’s only so many jobs that I think he would fit in now. And I’m just not sure how many of those jobs he would want. Maybe Michigan State if it’s open. I’m not sure what else would fit into that smaller box now.”

Kelly has been linked to Michigan State due to his previous coaching experience in Michigan, including stops at Grand Valley State (1991-2003) and Central Michigan (2004-2006).

Kelly is also in the discussion, as current Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith is on the hot seat. Smith was hired as the head football coach at Michigan State on Nov. 25, 2023, after spending six seasons as the head coach at Oregon State.

Smith signed a seven-year contract worth $52.85 million, with 85% of the contract guaranteed. Since joining Michigan State, the team has struggled with a 3-14 overall record, including a 0-13 mark in Big Ten play. This season, the Spartans are 3-7 and sit at No. 73 in the PFSN College Football Playoff rankings.

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Meanwhile, Kelly’s tenure at LSU ended prematurely, but he still achieved notable success, finishing with a 34-14 overall record and a 19-10 SEC record, including back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2022 and 2023.

Over his head coaching career, Kelly has a 297-109-2 record, which gives the Spartans a proven leader to rejuvenate their program potentially.