Brian Kelly rumors: LSU insider says Tigers coach would leave for potential Big Ten opening
Brian Kelly says he has no plans to leave LSU, but that does not seem to be enough to stop rumors about a potential move to Michigan.
LSU insider Matt Moscona recently weighed in on the possibility of Kelly leaving Baton Rouge for the Michigan job, noting “scuttle” of Jim Harbaugh potentially taking the Los Angeles Chargers head coaching position.
“If Jim Harbaugh goes back to the NFL… If Michigan pursues Brian Kelly, he would leave LSU for Michigan,” Moscona said. “I am confident in saying that.”
This is the second prominent media member who has guaranteed Brian Kelly leaving #LSU for Michigan.
I may throw up ? pic.twitter.com/IuSiW7prsm
— Nick Dias (@TheNickDias) December 23, 2023
Texas A&M insider Billy Liucci turned heads in the college football world when he brought up Kelly to Michigan chatter in November. After LSU’s win over Texas A&M in the regular-season finale, Kelly said he planned for his last coaching job to be in Baton Rouge.
“I want to be at LSU. I love it here. I’m not going anywhere,” Kelly said in the Nov. 25 postgame press conference. “This is my last stop on the Coach Kelly caravan. You always go, ‘Well, you know he’s just saying that to get the right soundbite.’ But I don’t have to say anything that puts me in a corner, but this is it. This is where I want to be, this is where I want to coach.”
Earlier this month, it was reported that Michigan offered Harbaugh a contract extension of $11 million per year for 5 years. There was a stipulation, though, that Harbaugh needed to declare in writing that he would not pursue another NFL job. The extension has not been announced as signed.
Harbaugh interviewed for NFL jobs the past 2 offseasons. Fans and media members have speculated that Harbaugh could look to go back to the NFL as Michigan deals with an NCAA Notice of Allegations for recruiting violations and the ongoing NCAA investigation into sign-stealing allegations.
Kelly has a 282-103-2 record as a college football coach, leading LSU to a 9-3 mark this season ahead of the ReliaQuest Bowl. The Tigers went 10-4, winning the SEC West, in Kelly’s first season at LSU.