Brian Kelly joins CBS as football analyst for 2026

Former LSU head coach Brian Kelly will join CBS Sports as a college football analyst for the upcoming 2026 season. The 64-year-old will be part of a three-person broadcast team calling Mountain West Conference games and will also serve as a regular analyst on the CBSSN weekday program "Inside College Football."

Kelly was fired by LSU midway through the 2025 season after the Tigers started the year 5-3. He compiled a 34-14 record over four seasons in Baton Rouge but never secured a College Football Playoff berth. His departure involved a substantial buyout, reported to be between $53 million and $54 million, and was followed by litigation as the university reportedly sought to fire him for cause.

With 22 years of head coaching experience at Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Notre Dame, and LSU, Kelly brings a career record of 200-76 to the broadcast booth. He has no prior broadcasting experience but previously worked with CBS during its coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft, contributing to studio shows and draft analysis. Network executives were reportedly impressed by his film knowledge and experience.

In multiple interviews this spring, Kelly has expressed a strong desire to return to...