Brian Kelly is serious about Maryland. Here’s how he’s positioning himself for the job

Brian Kelly, the Notre Dame football coach with a remarkable 297-plus career victories, is actively seeking to return to the sidelines as the head coach at Maryland. Multiple sources with insider knowledge tell USA TODAY Sports that Kelly has interviewed for the Maryland head coaching position.

Reports suggest that Kelly has been in ongoing discussions with Maryland officials since early November, discussing the vacancy left by former head coach Mike Locksley, who was dismissed during his seventh season with the Terps. Kelly even met off-campus with Maryland officials during the search process, handled by Chad Chatlos' TurnkeyZRG firm.

Like Florida State's Jimbo Fisher, Kelly has been actively strategizing to build a strong coaching staff for Maryland. He has spoken with potential assistants, front-office personnel, general managers, and executive athletics administrators as he prepared to lead the Maryland football program.

During his interview process with Maryland, Kelly laid out his vision for the team and what it would take to make them a middle to upper-tier contender in the competitive Big Ten conference. Kelly also shares a long-standing bond with Under Armour founder and CEO Kevin Plank, who is Maryland's exclusive apparel provider. Plank, a former Terps football player, has become a prominent figure in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape by signing emerging athletes through his company.