Brian Kelly's firing is sending shockwaves across the college football landscape. LSU made the decision to show Kelly the door after a lopsided 49-25 defeat at the hands of the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday night. It was an embarrassing night for Kelly and the LSU Football program, as the poor performance from the Tigers had fans leaving for the exits well before the end of the game.
LSU fires Brian Kelly in bombshell move that had to happen
As is the case with college football firings, buyouts are a major aspect of the situation. Not surprisingly, fans are curious about the status of Kelly's buyout after his firing. LSU athletic director Scott Woodward has released a statement on Kelly's firing, but it seems that a lot is still up in the air.
What is Brian Kelly's buyout situation?
When Kelly left Notre Dame to come to LSU in 2021, he inked a 10-year, $95 million contract with the Tigers. He leaves LSU just 3.5 years into the deal, and is owed approximately $53.3 million. In a statement, Woodward stated that LSU is continuing to negotiate Kelly's separation from the program toward a path that is better for both parties.
LSU AD Scott Woodward says in a statement on the firing of Brian Kelly: “We will continue to negotiate his separation and will work toward a path that is better for both parties.” pic.twitter.com/4MWw9SPqcr
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) October 27, 2025
It appears that Kelly's buyout total is still in the works. Will it end up being the full $53.3 million? Or will the two sides reach a different deal? That remains to be seen, but it is a peculiar situation to keep monitoring.
Kelly's buyout of more than $50 million is among the highest in the country. For reference, Penn State bought out James Franklin for just over $45 million and Florida bought out Billy Napier for over $20 million. The total cost would end up being a lot higher, as LSU now needs to hire a new head coach as well as a full new staff. In the end, the school could be looking at a total buyout cost of more than $100 million.
With that in mind, it will be interesting to see what is agreed upon between the two parties. Kelly's tenure at LSU ends with a 34-14 record and a 19-10 mark in SEC play. Kelly never led the Tigers to the College Football Playoff and appeared in just one SEC title game. The road ahead gets tougher for the Tigers this season, as they are set to face Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 8.