After almost four years and with 34 wins under his belt, the LSU Tigers took the extraordinary decision to fire Brian Kelly on Sunday evening. While he boasts a record most head coaches can only dream of, Kelly’s tenure in Baton Rouge has been far from successful, and a hefty buyout was often considered to be the only thing preventing him from being fired.
Now, that doesn’t seem to represent much of a problem. But how much will LSU have to pay Kelly after his post-Week 9 firing?
How Much Does LSU Owe Brian Kelly?
USA TODAY reports that LSU owes Kelly $53.3 million after terminating him without cause today. That figure is one of the highest in all college football, reflecting LSU’s massive commitment when they lured him from Notre Dame in December 2021.
The buyout terms specify that LSU owes Kelly 90% of his remaining base salary, supplemental pay, and longevity bonuses. The school would make monthly payments through the end of the contract period rather than one lump sum. Kelly has seven years remaining on his 10-year, $95 million deal that runs through December 31, 2031.
The agreement has a notable escalation clause. If Kelly wins a national championship at LSU and the school later fires him, that 90% buyout immediately jumps to 100%.
The contract includes a standard mitigation provision requiring Kelly to seek other coaching opportunities if fired. Any salary he earns from a new job would reduce what LSU owes him.
Why Did LSU Fire Kelly?
Despite boasting a strong overall record, Kelly had been considered on the college football hot seat for some time. The program won the national championship in 2019, setting a standard for every team to follow. LSU simply hasn’t been close to returning to the highest spot in the sport with Kelly at the helm.
LSU’s offense ranked 72nd in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric, with a 75.7 score and a C grade through Week 9. The run game and third-down efficiency have been persistent problems and have been glaring in recent games.
The defense has kept LSU competitive, but even a strong unit can’t forever compensate for offensive limitations. They were mercilessly ripped apart by the Texas A&M Aggies in Week 9, just seven days after a defeat to the Vanderbilt Commodores that many would have thought impossible under previous regimes.
It has been thought that the buyout structure provided Kelly with significant protection. However, with two consecutive defeats and the program appearing to be heading in the wrong direction under a head coach who seemed unable to control his emotions, LSU pulled the trigger on the four-year tenure.
