Overview
- Multiple outlets reported Saturday that Brian Kelly interviewed for Maryland’s head coach job and is widely seen as a leading candidate in the ongoing national search.
- Reporters say Kelly met with Maryland officials both on and off campus and presented a detailed roster and staffing plan while contacting potential assistants to assemble a staff quickly.
- Kelly remains under a reported roughly $54 million LSU buyout paid in monthly installments through 2031 that carries an offset clause, and Maryland also faces roughly a $9–10 million buyout to end Mike Locksley’s contract, factors that shape what the school can offer.
- Reaction among fans is mixed, with notable opposition tied to past safety controversies linked to Kelly’s Notre Dame tenure and Maryland’s own history with the death of Jordan McNair, raising reputational concerns for the program.
- The search continues under interim coach Aazaar Abdul‑Rahim while Maryland’s administration evaluates Kelly’s recruiting and Under Armour ties, potential competition from other openings, and the financial and public-relations tradeoffs of a hire.