Brian Kelly evaluates current college football openings: 'They're all unique'

Brian Kelly is actually a fan of all there current college football openings at Baylor, Maryland and NC State. He weighed a lot of pros for all three jobs, whether or not he’s putting in for those head coaching gigs, it was an interesting perspective on the early coaching carousel. Dave Aranda, Mike Locksley and Dave Doeren are all out of their current gigs, but it seems like all three schools have their positives when it comes to looking for the next football coach. Kelly explained on College Sports Radio on Sirius XM. $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage “They’re all unique, right? You know, we’re talking about ACC, Big 12, and and and the Big Ten,” Kelly said. “From a conference standpoint, the Big Ten obviously has proved itself to have that kind of appeal, right? With Maryland, it is a fertile recruiting area. There’s no doubt that that DMV area is a really good recruiting area. I think they’ve done great things in terms of upgrading facilities. “North Carolina State, another great recruiting area. The ACC, you know, other than Miami, with Clemson not being where they were before, (there’s) a shot, right? 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. And then Baylor, it’s Texas. You know, you’re going to have players at Baylor, and that’s an institutional commitment that they’ve made. You may say these are not the blue chip (places), 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, and that’s what makes all three of these jobs attractive, in my opinion.” Brian Kelly returning to coaching in 2027? This isn’t the first time Kelly has been mentioned around a return to coaching for the 2027 season. The former LSU and Notre Dame coach said it himself back in September and is included on the most recent Hot Board for Maryland from On3’s Pete Nakos. In reference to Rutgers’ initial disastrous start to the season, which included a loss to UMass, Kelly already had to address coaching speculation. Should Rutgers move on from long time coach Greg Schiano, Kelly’s name popped up around New Jersey as current AD Keli Zinn worked with Kelly at LSU. “You hate hearing the rumors, because that means somebody’s job is being evaluated,” Kelly said earlier this season. “It’s uncomfortable for me. I don’t feel easy about it. I think we all know it’s something that gets out in the media and it’s talked about because it’s juicy, right? But, for me, I just focus on what I’m doing on a day-to-day basis. I don’t relish my name being mentioned for other jobs. I’m pulling for the guy that’s got that job and I want to see him do well.” Along with this statement, Kelly addressed the jokes claiming he’d adopt a ‘Jersey accent’ if he were to be hired by Rutgers. Kelly infamously adopted a southern, Louisiana-esque accent for the beginning of his LSU tenure, which will be remembered forever for just how ridiculous it was. “My son sent me that,” Kelly said with a laugh. “So yeah, I saw that one. They feel I can fake any accent no matter where I go. I can do the Jersey accent. I can do any one you want.”