Brian Kelly is officially eyeing the Florida State head coaching job, telling College Sports Radio on Sirius XM that leading the program “would be an honor and privilege.” After Florida State made the move to fire Mike Norvell, it looks like one of college football’s most experienced coaches is ready to throw his name into the ring, and he’s not holding back on what FSU means to him.
Coach Kelly Isn’t Holding Back About FSU
“Yeah, I mean, look, when you’re talking to an unemployed football coach, every job’s a great job, you know? But Florida State, look, I’ve got a great history with Florida State, great games. I know what that’s like, the history and tradition of Florida State, playing in that state, and the fan base.” That’s the direct quote from Kelly, straight off Sirius XM, and wow, he’s laying it all out there. He’s not just saying “I’m interested,” he’s talking about the *history*, the *tradition*, the *fan base*. He’s hinting at a deep connection there. For a program like FSU, desperately seeking to return to national prominence, hearing a coach with his resume talk with that kind of reverence has to make you sit up and listen. He went on to say that “anytime you have an incredibly brand driven, great tradition and history, there’s a want and desire to be part of somebody that has had that success,” and leading it “from anyone’s perspective, would be an honor and privilege.” This isn’t just a casual “yeah, I’d look at it” statement, is it?
From Golden Dome to Bayou and Now, Maybe Tallahassee?
So, who is Brian Kelly, the guy so eager for the FSU gig? At 65 years old, he’s a veteran, no doubt. His last stop was at LSU, where he coached through the 2025 campaign before getting fired midseason. Lane Kiffin stepped in to replace him. Now, that midseason firing might raise an eyebrow or two, but let’s not forget his career speaks volumes. He’s posted an official career record of 200-76, though the NCAA did vacate some Notre Dame wins from 2012-13 due to an academic infraction, bringing the official tally to 179-76. He’s been around, too, leading Central Michigan from 2004-06, then Cincinnati from 2006-09, and a long, successful run at Notre Dame from 2010-21 before his brief stint at LSU from 2022-25. FSU’s looking for someone to lead them back to glory, and they’re expected to cast a wide net in this coaching search. It’s clear Kelly is making sure his name is right at the top of that list. You have to wonder how that resume, with both incredible success and that recent midseason firing, plays into FSU’s decision.
The Florida State faithful are hungry for a return to the top, and they’re about to witness one of the most intriguing coaching searches in recent memory. With Brian Kelly publicly throwing his full enthusiasm behind the job, you can bet the rumor mill is already going to be working overtime. Who steps up next, and will Kelly’s experienced pitch be enough to land him one of the most storied jobs in college football? We’re all watching to see how this plays out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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