Brian Kelly set to join CBS’ college football broadcast team

Brian Kelly is expected to step into a new role in the college football broadcast landscape, with CBS set to use him as a game caller for this season’s slate, according to sources cited by Front Office Sports and reported by Yahoo Sports on June 24, 2026.

Kelly has been known for his studio and analyst work tied to CBS Sports Network’s NFL Draft coverage. The move from an offseason draft assignment to week-to-week college football calling would represent a larger on-air commitment, shifting his responsibilities from a single marquee event window to a full in-season workload.

College football broadcasts often use a mix of established lead announcers and rotating contributors, and CBS’ decision to add Kelly indicates a continuing emphasis on experienced football voices. While Kelly’s background includes draft coverage, calling college games requires a different day-to-day rhythm, from preparing for weekly matchups to tracking position groups, conference storylines, and coaching tendencies in real time.

The report characterizes the assignment as something “this season,” but it does not outline which specific games, leagues, or packages Kelly would be assigned. In the United States broadcast model, roles can vary by week, with crews assigned based on national game selection, conference rights, and production scheduling.

There is also no information in the report about whether Kelly is joining as a full-time lead play-by-play option or as part of a secondary crew rotation. CBS’ college football schedule includes multiple broadcast levels, and announcer assignments can be staggered, especially early in a season.

If the hiring is finalized as reported, viewers can expect Kelly’s approach to be shaped by the style of college broadcasts, which often place additional emphasis on rivalries, player development narratives, and game-state momentum tied to specific coaching philosophies. It is also the kind of move that can affect how fans experience broadcast continuity across the season.

What to watch next is confirmation of Kelly’s assignment through official CBS or network scheduling materials, including any public release detailing crew lineups. Until that happens, the June 24 report should be treated as a strong indication rather than a fully confirmed broadcast plan.