In just three seasons at the helm of Louisville football, Jeff Brohm has done more than steady the ship-he’s steered it into consistent postseason waters. Three years, three winning records, and three bowl appearances later, Brohm’s impact on his alma mater is undeniable. And now, with coaching vacancies popping up across the college football landscape, his name has naturally surfaced as one of the hottest commodities in the market.
But Brohm isn’t biting.
As the coaching carousel spun wildly on Wednesday, with Penn State scrambling to replace James Franklin following his move to Virginia Tech, Brohm made one thing clear: he’s not going anywhere. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Brohm informed Louisville leadership that he’s not entertaining other job offers and remains fully committed to the Cardinals.
That’s a big deal-not just for Louisville, but for the broader ACC picture. In an era where successful head coaches often bolt for the next big payday or Power Five opportunity, Brohm’s decision to stay put bucks the trend.
And it’s not like the interest wasn’t real. Penn State reportedly had Brohm high on its list, but one by one, top candidates either took other jobs or inked extensions to stay where they were.
Brohm could’ve joined that exodus, but instead, he doubled down on the program he helped build.
Now, while Brohm hasn’t officially signed another extension, there’s movement behind the scenes. CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello reported that Brohm and Louisville are already in active talks about his contract. And based on his track record, it’s hard to imagine those talks don’t end with a few more zeros on the deal.
Let’s rewind for a second. When Brohm was hired in 2022, he signed a six-year, $36 million contract.
After leading the Cardinals to a 10-win season in 2023, that deal got bumped up to eight years and $49.5 million. This year, Louisville came up just shy of double-digit wins, finishing the regular season at 8-4.
That record didn’t trigger any automatic escalators in his contract, but make no mistake-Brohm’s value to the program hasn’t dipped.
Louisville won’t be playing in the ACC Championship or the College Football Playoff this season, but they’re headed to yet another bowl game. That kind of consistency is gold in today’s college football climate, especially for a program that’s had its fair share of ups and downs over the last decade. Brohm’s ability to stabilize and elevate the Cardinals in such a short span has made him a foundational figure in the program’s future.
And while Penn State may have to pivot to an in-house option-reports suggest interim head coach Terry Smith is now the frontrunner for the full-time job-Louisville fans can breathe a little easier. Their coach is staying home.
In a sport where loyalty is often overshadowed by leverage, Brohm’s decision to stay rooted in Louisville speaks volumes. He’s building something-and it looks like he’s in it for the long haul.