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It was just last week that Penn State fired head coach James Franklin after a third straight loss, leading to a $49 million buyout by the Nittany Lions to let him out of his contract.
At the time, it seemed crazy that a university would be willing to pay that much money, but the potential buyout of former LSU head coach Brian Kelly could rival Franklin’s.
After the Tigers made the decision Sunday night to fire Kelly, less than 24 hours after LSU fell to Texas A&M 49-25 for its third loss in the last four games, both sides are still negotiating the financial terms of the split.
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LSU head coach Brian Kelly stands on the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Kelly was in the fourth year of a 10-year, $100 million deal with LSU that he signed after leaving Notre Dame. Kelly had $95 million in salary on that deal, and 90% of that was guaranteed money.
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Kelly and LSU athletic director Scott Woodward reportedly had a tense meeting Sunday morning, according to The Athletic. And during that meeting, Kelly’s $54 million buyout in his contract was brought up.
There was also a coaching confrontation as Woodward reportedly wanted to make changes to Kelly’s staff, which included offensive coordinator Joe Sloan being fired. However, Kelly reportedly pushed back, saying he would rather make other moves on his staff.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly shouts to an official during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
This situation has even reached the highest level of state government, as Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry reportedly met with the LSU Board of Supervisors about Kelly’s firing Sunday night.
The loss to Texas A&M was the final straw for many LSU fans, who were heard chanting “Fire Kelly” at Tiger Stadium Saturday during the loss. Kelly was asked about that possibility after the loss, which dropped them to 5-3 on the year and 2-3 in SEC play.
“It’s impossible for the head coach who’s been here for four years and 35 years to do this to think something [but keep coaching]”, he said via the New York Post. “It’s not my decision in terms of whether I’m here or not, but it’s what I want to do.”
LSU head coach Brian Kelly speaks at the Omni Dallas Hotel on July 15, 2024. (Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports)
Kelly went 34-14 during his tenure with the Tigers.
“When Coach Kelly arrived at LSU four years ago, we had high hopes that he would lead us to multiple SEC and national championships during his time in Baton Rouge,” Woodward said as part of a statement. “Ultimately, the level of success that LSU requires simply did not materialize and I made the decision to make a change after last night’s game.”
