Former Notre Dame and LSU head coach Brian Kelly just dropped a bombshell, telling "The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast" on Tuesday that he is open to returning to college football as an assistant coach or coordinator. Talk about a curveball from a guy who’s been the top dog at major programs for years.
From Head Honcho to Humble Helper?
Kelly, who was dismissed by LSU in October 2025 after three and a half seasons, made it clear he isn't closing any doors on his future. "I don't think I've closed any doors in my own mind, and I think that's the most important thing," he said around the 18:00 mark of the podcast. "I'm very open-minded about what the opportunities might be for me." The 64-year-old sounds like he's recharged, too, adding that he has "a lot more to give," has focused on his health which is now "really, really good," and has "good energy." Remember, this is the same coach who told the AP back in April 2022 that he wanted to be "in an environment where I have the resources to win a national championship." He also stressed on the podcast that his November 2021 decision to leave Notre Dame for LSU was "mischaracterized," stating, "I didn't leave Notre Dame before they couldn't win a national championship. Those words never came out of my mouth." It makes you wonder what kind of environment he's looking for now, post-firing.Praise for Marcus Freeman, and a Trip Back to South Bend
Perhaps the most eye-opening part of Kelly's appearance was his genuine praise for Marcus Freeman, the man who stepped into his shoes at Notre Dame. Freeman has absolutely crushed it, leading the Fighting Irish to an impressive 43-12 record and even a national championship game appearance. Kelly was quick to acknowledge Freeman's success, saying, "It's extraordinary that a football coach with no head coaching experience has been able to step in the job and do as well as Marcus has." He even reflected on his own time, admitting, "I had 19 years of being the head coach, and I felt like the water was up to my nose at times at Notre Dame. So, I have such respect for Marcus and what he's been able to do in that role." He went on to commend Freeman's listening skills and humility. And just to show there are no hard feelings, Kelly plans to visit Notre Dame before the 2026-27 academic year begins. "I just want to show that I have 100 percent faith and confidence in what they're doing... I want our fans to know, the Notre Dame fans, that I'm 100 percent supporting of what they're doing," he confirmed. So what's next for the former head coach? He's been doing consulting work for Memphis this offseason and is currently slated to be an analyst for Mountain West games on CBS next season. But with him "very open-minded" about an assistant role, you can bet college football coaches are going to be watching to see if a familiar face shows up on a new sideline.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.