Rumors connecting Brian Kelly with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights are running rampant.
The ex-LSU and Notre Dame head coach has heard them, and made it clear he would like to return to coaching, though he dislikes hearing the rumblings. After being fired by LSU last fall, Kelly has turned to media, working as an analyst with CBS Sports and doing radio hits.
Rutgers, meanwhile, is floundering after an 0-3 start to its 2026 season, and head coach Greg Schiano might be on the hot seat if his seventh season continues the way it’s begun. Rutgers has matchups with heavyweights Indiana, Michigan and Penn State on the calendar, all of whom have yet to lose a game.
“You can imagine, coming from my perspective as a sitting football coach when I was in that position, you hate hearing the rumors because it means somebody’s job is being evaluated,” Kelly said on SiriusXM’s “The Early Read” on Wednesday. “It’s uncomfortable for me. I don’t feel easy about it.
Kelly worked alongside Rutgers president William Tate and athletic director Keli Zinn during his time at LSU. The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman notes that Kelly is “very, very motivated to get back on the sidelines.”
“Look, we all know it’s something that gets out in the media and it’s talked about because it’s juicy, right?” Kelly pointed out. “But for me, I just focus on what I’m doing on a day-to-day basis and those things take care of themselves.”
Not that the longtime coach wouldn’t acclimate himself to Rutgers quickly. Kelly went viral in his early days at LSU for using a Louisiana accent during an appearance at a Tigers basketball game.
“I think they just feel like I can fake any accent no matter where I go,” he said. “You know what I mean? So I could do the Jersey accent. I can do anyone you want.”
Alongside Notre Dame and LSU, Kelly also made stops in Grand Valley State, Central Michigan, and Cincinnati, compiling a career head coaching record of 297-109-2. He was fired by the Tigers and replaced by Lane Kiffin after a 5-3 start to his fourth season and three years without a playoff appearance.
