Brian Kelly, the former LSU coach, has been keeping a low profile since his departure following the Tigers' loss to Texas A&M. Now, he's reemerging, setting off a series of events that have landed Lane Kiffin in Baton Rouge with significant investment backing.
LSU has gone all-in on Kiffin, creating a buzz around the program. Meanwhile, Kelly is in a phase of reflection and exploration regarding his future in college football.
"I haven't decided if I want to return yet," Kelly shared on Sirius XM's Dusty & Danny show. "I'd need to see some changes first. But while I'm waiting, I need to stay active in the game."
Kelly's contract requires him to actively seek employment to continue receiving his buyout from LSU, which amounts to $54 million over the coming years. Any future earnings from coaching would offset this buyout.
In the upcoming weeks, Kelly plans to visit several NFL teams, where some of his former assistants are now head coaches. He regards the NFL as "the gold standard" in terms of rules and regulations, and any decision to return to college football will likely depend on changes in the current collegiate model.
Kelly aims to understand the NFL's operational side through these visits. Come fall, he also intends to visit college programs to learn how they manage their operations at the Power 4 level.
"I want to see their programs, understand their processes, and identify areas where I can improve," Kelly explained. "If the right opportunity arises and I'm ready, I'll definitely consider it."
This isn't groundbreaking news, as Kelly is contractually obligated to seek employment to maintain his buyout. However, should he find what he's looking for, a return to coaching seems possible.
For LSU, any reduction in Kelly's buyout could offer financial flexibility. The Tigers have big decisions ahead, especially with the basketball program, and freeing up resources could be crucial. Despite the hefty investments in football, having some financial leeway would be beneficial.
"The revenue is astounding," Kelly remarked. "I don't know how LSU is managing it-paying Lane Kiffin and me.
It's crazy, but the money is there. The challenges are real, but college football is still in a good place."