Brian Kelly is back on the market, and he's not shy about which jobs he finds intriguing. After being let go by LSU last season, the 65-year-old coach has been linked to several openings, and he recently shared his thoughts on three programs that have made headlines in the past week.
Maryland, North Carolina State, and Baylor all fired their head coaches within a short span, and Kelly, during an interview on SiriusXM Radio, broke down what makes each position appealing. "They're all unique," he said. "We're talking about ACC, Big 12, and the Big Ten."
Maryland: Big Ten Appeal and a Fertile Recruiting Ground
The Terrapins parted ways with Mike Locksley after a 2-5 start, including a loss to Rutgers. Maryland has struggled to find consistency in the Big Ten, with only two conference wins in the last three seasons, but Kelly sees the conference as a major draw. "The Big Ten obviously has proved itself to have that kind of appeal, right?" he said. "With Maryland, it is a fertile recruiting area. There's no doubt that DMV area is a really good recruiting area. I think they've done great things in terms of upgrading facilities."
Kelly's interest in Maryland aligns with the recent comments from Mike Locksley about stepping away from college coaching, but the allure of the Big Ten and the talent-rich D.C.-Maryland-Virginia region could be enough to lure a coach of Kelly's caliber.
NC State: A Wide-Open ACC and a Strong Program
North Carolina State is looking for a new leader for the first time since 2013 after Dave Doeren was let go. The Wolfpack have been consistent, making 10 bowl games in the last 12 seasons, but a 3-4 record this year, including losses to Wake Forest and Stanford, sealed Doeren's fate.
Kelly sees the ACC as a golden opportunity. "North Carolina State, another great recruiting area. The ACC, you know, other than Miami, with Clemson not being where they were before, it's a shot, right?" he said. "I can win this thing at the ACC level, and I think that's what makes it very attractive, as well as the geographical area."
The early favorite for the NC State vacancy might be someone else, but Kelly's interest could shake up the search. The Wolfpack's solid infrastructure and the chance to compete in a conference without a dominant powerhouse make this a tempting option.
Baylor: Texas Talent and a Path to the Playoffs
Baylor's decision to fire Dave Aranda after a narrow loss to Kansas surprised many, but Kelly sees the Texas location as a huge plus. "It's Texas. You know you're going to have players at Baylor, and that's an institutional commitment that they've made," he said. "You may say these are not the blue-chip [programs], but they have the ability to be part of the playoffs each and every year, and they have the ability to contend within their league."
The Bears have shown they can compete at a high level, and with the expanded College Football Playoff, Kelly believes programs like Baylor can make a run. "And that's what makes all three of these jobs attractive, in my opinion."
Kelly's comments come as college football analysts debate the state of the sport, and his next move will be closely watched. Whether he lands in College Park, Raleigh, or Waco, his experience and track record could bring immediate credibility to any program.
With the coaching carousel spinning, Kelly's name is sure to remain in the mix. His willingness to consider these mid-tier programs shows he's not just chasing the biggest names, but rather the best fit for a resurgence.
