The LSU Tigers brought in former Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin as the head coach of the football program after dismissing Brian Kelly from the same role in the middle of last season.
“We had high hopes that he would lead us to multiple SEC and national championships during his time in Baton Rouge,” LSU athletic director at the time Scott Woodward said. “Ultimately, the success at the level that LSU demands simply did not materialize.”
As part of the university’s contractual obligation to Kelly, the university and its boosters had to honor his $54 million buyout. On Kelly’s side, his buyout is contingent on his making “good-faith, reasonable and sustained efforts to obtain” a new job.
It would appear that Kelly does, in fact, have a new gig.
Kelly appeared on a CBS Sports Network panel on Tuesday where he offered his thought’s on the draft class for next week’s 2026 NFL draft, and offered high praise for this year’s crop of wide receivers.
“This is an all-you-can-eat buffet when it comes to wide receivers,” Kelly said on CBS Sports Network.
“This is an all-you-can-eat buffet when it comes to wide receivers.”@CoachBrianKelly loves the wide receiver talent in the 2026 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/ArSHavKAV8
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) April 14, 2026
As for whether he will coach again, Kelly has made it clear that it’s not out of the question for him.
“I don’t know that I’ve made the decision that I want to get back in, as all the things we’ve talked about, I’d want to see some changes. But I think while you wait, you need to work. And so, I need to stay in the game. My first order of business is this next two, three weeks, I’m gonna be visiting some places to see spring ball, get a chance to see some things relative to the football side, the operational side, some of the things we talked about today with NIL, transfer and calendar, and get a temperature in the spring for some things,” he said, according to On3.
“I want to do that in the fall, too. I want to get out and — look, I’ve got four former assistant coaches that are head football coaches in the NFL. I’ve got four Power Four assistant coaches that we’re close to. I want to get around and see their program, see how they’re doing, get a sense of where I can grow and I can be better. And so, that’s really my focus right now. And then if the right situation comes about and I’m ready, I’m certainly going to entertain that.”
Kelly might just return to the college football sidelines sooner rather than later.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.