Brian Kelly was considered a home-run hire when he was plucked by LSU from Notre Dame ahead of the 2022 season. His tenure didn’t go as planned, however, resulting in the school moving on from the fourth-year coach, as confirmed by LSU after multiple reports.
LSU (5-3, 2-3 in SEC play) fell out of the US LBM Coaches Poll after its 49-25 loss to Texas A&M in Week 9. The loss was the Tigers’ third in their last four games, as offensive struggles continue to plague the team. It reached arguably its lowest point on Oct. 25, with fans chanting ‘Fire Kelly’ in the first quarter of a blowout.
LSU has only scored 26 points or more in one game this season, which came against FCS Southeastern Louisiana in a 56-10 win. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, viewed as a potential Heisman Trophy contender and top NFL draft prospect entering the season, has also struggled this season
Kelly ultimately never fit at LSU, and now the Tigers are paying for the hire. Here are Kelly’s contract details, including how much LSU owes him in a buyout if fired without cause:
Brian Kelly buyout
Kelly is owed approximately $54 million if fired without cause, according to a copy of his contract obtained by the USA TODAY Network. The number is one of the most expensive buyouts in college football history, behind Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M and ahead of James Franklin at Penn State.
LSU owes Kelly 90% of his remaining base salary and supplemental compensation, plus a pro-rated ‘longevity compensation’ bonus to be paid on July 15, 2026. Kelly’s contract was set to run through Dec. 31, 2031 or through the Tigers’ final game of the 2031 college football season.
Kelly has a ‘duty to mitigate’ clause in his contract, though, which means he must pursue other jobs for as long as he receives money from LSU.
Brian Kelly contract details
Kelly’s contract saw him paid an annual base salary of $400,000 on top of a $500,000 ‘longevity compensation’ bonus to be paid every July 15. He also was set to receive $9 million in supplemental pay from Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2026.
Per his contract, his supplemental pay would increase by $200,000 every two years on the following schedule:
$9 million from Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2026
$9.2 million from Jan. 1, 2027 through Dec. 31, 2028
$9.4 million from Jan. 1, 2029 through Dec. 31, 2030
$9.6 million from Jan. 1, 2031 through Dec. 31, 2031
Kelly’s salary ranks eighth among head coaches at public universities, according to USA TODAY’s coaches salary database. He was set to make $10.175 million for the 2025 college football season.