Whenever a college football head coach is fired, buyouts dominate the headlines. Financial buyouts in college football are often large sums of money that add an even more complex dynamic to already dicey situations. In the case of Brian Kelly and LSU, Kelly's buyout sat at $53.3 million when he was fired two weeks ago. It's the second-largest buyout in college football history.
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In the days following his firing, then-athletic director Scott Woodward said that LSU "will continue to negotiate his separation and will work toward a path that is better for both parties." It seemed that Kelly was open to a settlement that was less than $53.3 million. The exact details of his buyout are still in the works, and the situation is becoming even more complex.
Brian Kelly turns down multiple settlement offers from LSU
Kelly appears to be changing his tune on agreeing to a settlement. It now seems that he wants all of what he's owed and isn't willing to negotiate for anything different.
According to ESPN's Mark Schlabach, Kelly has turned down two different settlement offers from LSU since his firing two weeks ago. Per documents obtained by the Baton Rouge Advocate, Kelly turned down a $25 million lump sum payment on the day he was fired. The school then upped the settlement offer to $30 million, which Kelly also turned down.
Schlabach says that Kelly's attorneys have given LSU officials until Monday to confirm in writing that the school will pay him the full buyout amount he's owed under the terms of his contract. If the school gives Kelly the full buyout amount, his $53.3 million will be paid in monthly payments through 2031. If the school doesn't agree to the full amount, Kelly's attorneys are prepared to pursue further legal remedies.
This back-and-forth is making the breakup between Kelly and LSU even messier. It's already been a chaotic few weeks since his firing, and the situation doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon.