NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
It was just last week when Penn State fired head coach James Franklin after a third straight loss, leading to a $49 million buyout by the Nittany Lions to allow him to opt out of his contract.
At the time, it seemed far-fetched that a university would be willing to shell out that much money, but former LSU head coach Brian Kelly’s potential buyout 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 division.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
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 his fourth year of a 10-year, $100 million contract with LSU, which he signed after leaving Notre Dame. Kelly had a $95 million salary in that deal and 90% of it was guaranteed money.
LSU FIRES FOOTBALL COACH BRIAN KELLY AFTER THIRD SEASON LOSS: REPORTS
According to The Athletic, Kelly and LSU athletic director Scott Woodward had a tense meeting Sunday morning. And during that meeting, they talked about terminating Kelly’s contract for $54 million.
There was also a confrontation between the coaches, as Woodward reportedly wanted to make changes to Kelly’s staff, which included firing offensive coordinator Joe Sloan. However, Kelly reportedly responded, saying he would prefer to make other moves on his staff.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly yells at 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 Governor Jeff Landry reportedly met with the LSU Board of Supervisors about Kelly’s firing on 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 on 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 the SEC.
“It’s impossible for the head coach who’s been here for four years and 35 years doing this to think anything [but keep coaching]” he said, via the New York Post. “That’s not my decision in terms of whether I’m here or not, but that’s what I’ll do.”
LSU head coach Brian Kelly speaking 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 came to 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. “In the end, success at the level LSU demands simply did not materialize, and I made the decision to make a change after last night’s game.”
