Former LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly Set To Receive a Massive Payout
The Brian Kelly era in Baton Rouge is over, and LSU is writing a check that could make a Powerball winner blush. The school has finally sent Kelly his official termination letter, and they are on the hook for the full $54 million buyout.
Let’s be honest, this whole saga has had more drama than a season of “The Bachelor.” After a promising start that saw Kelly lead the Tigers to an SEC Championship Game, things went south. A 9-4 record in 2024 put Kelly on the hot seat, and after starting the next season 4-0, the wheels completely fell off. A four-game losing streak in five games was the final nail in the coffin, and LSU decided to pull the plug mid-season.
The $54 Million Question
When you fire a coach with a contract like Kelly’s, things get messy. Initially, LSU tried to play hardball, suggesting they had grounds to fire him “for cause,” which would have saved them a mountain of cash. Kelly, not one to be pushed around, promptly filed a lawsuit, arguing that the university hadn’t even formally terminated him yet. It was a classic “he said, she said” standoff, but with lawyers and millions of dollars at stake.
After a bit of back-and-forth, including Kelly reportedly rejecting a couple of settlement offers, LSU has finally waved the white flag. They’re firing him “without cause,” meaning they have to pay up. Every. Single. Penny. That $54 million will be paid out over six years, making it one of the largest buyouts in college football history, second only to Jimbo Fisher’s legendary $76.8 million payday from Texas A&M. Those SEC schools sure know how to spend money.
What’s Next For Brian Kelly?
Now, before Kelly sails off into the sunset on a yacht made of $100 bills, there is a catch. His contract includes a “duty to mitigate,” which is fancy legal talk for “you have to actually look for another job.” LSU expects him to make a “good-faith” effort to find new employment, and you better believe they want to see the receipts. The termination letter specifically asks Kelly to document his job search, including interviews and offers. It is like your parents telling you to prove you’re looking for a summer job, except the stakes are a little higher.
So, while Kelly is now a very wealthy, unemployed football coach, his journey isn’t over. He’ll be hitting the job market, and every athletic director in the country knows he’s available. For LSU, the page turns to a new chapter as they begin the hunt for their next head coach, hoping this next hire doesn’t come with such an eye-watering golden parachute.
