The reason why Matt McMahon’s job at LSU could be safer than it looks

The LSU men's basketball program is enduring a tough season once again. After starting the 2025-26 campaign 8-0 and posting a non-conference record of 12-1, Matt McMahon's team is just 1-7 in SEC play.

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The Tigers suffered their worst loss of the season on Wednesday, falling to Mississippi State by a score of 80-66 at the PMAC. Fans and media members quickly expressed their displeasure, with Hunt Palmer of 104.5 ESPN comparing the loss to the 49-25 loss the LSU Football team suffered to Texas A&M back on October 25. As Tiger fans, know Brian Kelly was fired the next day.

McMahon remains LSU's head coach, but cries for the program to move on have became even louder. But given all of the drastic changes the LSU athletic department has gone through in recent months, McMahon's job could be safer than it seems.

What are the chances LSU makes a basketball coaching change?

The LSU athletic department has been in the spotlight over the last few months. LSU has a new university president in Wade Rousse, and new athletic director in Verge Ausberry, and a new football coach in Lane Kiffin. That turnover and the new era of NIL in college athletics has LSU spending loads of money across all sports.

McMahon's buyout is approximately $7.5 million for the final three years of his contract, but with LSU spending left and right, could McMahon be safe from a coaching chance at this time? As Matt Moscona of 104.5 ESPN points out, LSU's price tag for moving on from McMahon could come with a higher price tag than just his buyout.

Moscona notes that along with buying out McMahon, LSU would have to buy out the rest of the staff, hire a new coach and a new staff, as well as continue to fund the roster. It's also possible that a new coach would want more spending power for the roster moving forward. That means LSU could be looking at a total buyout situation of more than $15 million.

Brian Kelly's buyout sits at approximately $54 million, and Lane Kiffin's new contract is worth $91 million. The roster that Kiffin has compiled for 2026 comes with a hefty price tag as well. Furthermore, Kim Mulkey and Jay Johnson are also among the highest-paid coaches in their respective sports.

Given all of those other financial responsibilities, would LSU still make a men's basketball coaching change? It's certainly possible, as McMahon's overall record at LSU now sits at 57-61 (.483), with a lowly 15-47 (.242) mark in SEC play. The Tigers have yet to make the NCAA Tournament with McMahon at the helm, and a 1-7 mark in SEC play isn't doing him any favors.

But the financial element of this situation is very real, so it will be interesting to see what develops. The Tigers are back in action this Saturday, January 31 with a road tilt at South Carolina. Tip-off is slated for 1:00 p.m. ET.