Brian Kelly exploring coaching options outside Notre Dame

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly got a dreaded vote of confidence from his athletic director earlier this season. (Getty)

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly has reached out through representatives to explore coaching options outside Notre Dame, sources told Yahoo Sports.

Kelly just completed his seventh season as coach of the Fighting Irish, a 4-8 debacle that was the school’s second-worst record of the last 52 years. The disappointment was compounded by news Tuesday that the NCAA is vacating 21 Notre Dame victories in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons for academic misconduct involving eight players.

However, sources told Yahoo Sports that Kelly’s curiosity regarding other jobs was not spurred by the NCAA sanctions and predates that development. Although Kelly has come under fire from some Notre Dame fans this year, athletic director Jack Swarbrick has consistently stated that Kelly’s job is safe.

Notre Dame sources said Saturday night that Kelly has expressed no desire to leave the school.

Kelly’s seven-year record at Notre Dame is 59-31, with a 12-1 season in 2012 and a 10-win season in 2015. He is the school’s most successful coach since Lou Holtz resigned in 1996.

After events earlier Saturday, the college coaching carousel could be on an abbreviated spin this year. With Texas hiring Tom Herman and LSU retaining interim coach Ed Orgeron, the number of A-list jobs available could be small. At present the open jobs are at Baylor, Purdue and Houston. There is speculation that Oregon, Texas A&M and UCLA could open in the coming days.