Brian Kelly, former head coach at Notre Dame and LSU, is a name that still pops up in college football talk. Even though he’s currently just an unpaid consultant at Memphis, folks seem pretty sure he’s not done coaching yet.
Looking past 2026, it’s fun to imagine where Kelly might land next. There are a handful of programs that could make sense for him—and each one’s got its own quirks.
Cincinnati: A Homecoming on the Horizon?
Cincinnati might be the most interesting fit if Kelly decides to get back in the game. He took the Bearcats to new heights before, racking up a 34-6 record and three straight 10-win seasons.
It wouldn’t be the first time a Big 12 coach circled back to an old gig. Scott Frost at UCF, Rich Rodriguez at West Virginia—stories like that aren’t all that rare. If Kelly came back to Cincinnati, it’d be a redemption arc, maybe even a little poetic.
The State of Cincinnati Football
Since joining the Big 12, things haven’t gone so well for the Bearcats under Scott Satterfield. They’re 9-18 in conference play over three years, which isn’t exactly inspiring.
The 2025 season ended on a brutal five-game skid. Both coordinators got canned, and key players like Brendan Sorsby bailed.
Satterfield’s buyout isn’t massive, so a change at head coach feels pretty likely. If Kelly—or even Luke Fickell—got the call, you could see the program bouncing back fast.
Boston College: A Return to Roots
Boston College is another spot that makes sense for Kelly. It’d be a homecoming, since he’s from Massachusetts.
He knows the area, and he’s got a handle on ACC football. He went 7-0 against Boston College when he was at Notre Dame, so there’s some history there.
Challenges and Opportunities at Boston College
Boston College hasn’t had a winning season in ACC play for 17 years. That’s a long drought.
Bill O’Brien is hanging on by a thread after a rough 2-10 season. Some folks might balk at hiring a coach nearly a decade older than O’Brien, but Kelly’s got 13 AP Top 25 finishes. That’s hard to ignore.
Northwestern: A Splashy Hire for “Chicago’s Big Ten Team”
Northwestern could also be in play. The Wildcats are about to debut their new Ryan Field, and the program could use a lift.
David Braun isn’t in immediate trouble, but the schedule’s no joke. Five tough games to end the season could shift things fast if they go sideways.
Why Kelly Fits at Northwestern
Kelly spent 12 years at Notre Dame, which honestly might be more popular in Chicago than Northwestern itself. He’s used to recruiting in the area and running a program that cares about academics.
Bringing in Kelly would be a big move. It’d get people talking and might just fire up the fanbase and boosters again.
Maryland: A Big Ten Opportunity
Maryland’s another possible landing spot. It’s still a Big Ten job, and those don’t grow on trees.
The DMV area is rich for recruiting. Plus, having Kevin Plank in your corner doesn’t hurt.
The State of Maryland Football
Mike Locksley is in a tough spot after back-to-back 1-8 seasons in Big Ten play. The hiring process at Maryland has been a mess since they joined the conference.
Some might hesitate about bringing in a coach in his 60s, but Kelly’s track record speaks for itself. He could be the jolt Maryland needs to get out of its rut.
Syracuse: Northeast Roots and ACC Success
Syracuse is another program that could make sense. They just wrapped up a rough 3-9 season under Fran Brown, who’s brand new to head coaching.
With a new athletic director in Bryan Blair, another bad year might open the door for a change. Kelly’s ties to the Northeast could make this a natural fit if things shake out that way.
Why Kelly is a Good Fit for Syracuse
Kelly’s got those Northeast roots that Syracuse fans love, and his 45-11 record against ACC teams while at Notre Dame is nothing to sneeze at.
If Brown can’t get things moving in the right direction, bringing in Kelly—who’d be the active leader in college football wins—suddenly looks pretty appealing for the program.
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