$50 Million to Say Goodbye: Would You Have Fired Brian Kelly?

What happened

On Sunday, October 26, 2025, the Louisiana State University announced that Brian Kelly had been fired from his role as head football coach of the LSU Tigers. The immediate trigger was a 49-25 home loss to Texas A&M Aggies (ranked No. 3 at the time) which dropped LSU to a 5-3 overall record and 2-3 in the SEC. Athletic Director Scott Woodward stated:

“When Coach Kelly arrived at LSU four years ago, we had high hopes … Ultimately, the success at the level that LSU demands simply did not materialize.”

An interim coach, Frank Wilson, was named for the remainder of the season, and a national search for a successor has begun.

Kelly’s Record at LSU

Here are the key numbers:

• Kelly coached four seasons at LSU (2022–25).
• His overall record at LSU: 34 wins – 14 losses.
• His SEC conference record: 19 wins – 10 losses.
• Against ranked opponents during his tenure: reportedly 5-11.
• His seasons breakdown:
  • 2022: roughly 10-4.
  • 2023: also 10-3.
  • 2024: 9-4.
  • 2025: 5-3 at time of firing.

So while the winning percentage is strong (~71 %) under Kelly, the performance did not meet the lofty expectations at LSU for championships and deep playoff runs.

The Contract & Buyout

One of the biggest talking points: the financial cost to LSU of removing Kelly.

• Kelly signed a contract in 2021 which reportedly ran through the end of 2031 and was worth ~$95 million (excluding incentives).
• His base salary for 2025 was approximately $9.4 million.
• If fired without cause, the contract stipulated that he would receive ~90 % of his remaining contract value.
• Estimates of the buyout as of the firing: between $52.3 million and $54 million. Specific figures:
  • $53,293,333 as of December 1 2025 (USA Today database).
  • $53.29 million buyout highlighted by On3.
  • ~$54 million often mentioned in media.

In short: it’s one of the largest buyouts in college football history for a head coach.

Why the Decision?

From the publicly stated perspective:

• LSU expected national and SEC championship contention; Kelly’s teams didn’t reach that level.
• The slide in performance: despite strong starts, late season collapses. For 2025 the 5-3 start and especially the 49-25 home loss to a conference rival triggered the decision.
• Fan unrest: There were audible “Fire Kelly!” chants from the crowd in Tiger Stadium during the loss to Texas A&M.
• The high expectations at LSU: This is a program used to national championships (under predecessor coaches). The gap between expectation and delivered results weighed heavily.What’s Next?
• LSU begins a search for a new head coach immediately.
• The buyout negotiation with Kelly remains ongoing; how it will be paid out (lump sum vs installments) is still to be determined.
• The decision also puts pressure on Athletic Director Scott Woodward, whose hiring of Kelly and previous record are under scrutiny.

The Big Question

Given the record, the buyout cost, and the expectations at LSU, the question is straightforward:

Would you fire Brian Kelly if you were in LSU’s position?

• On one hand: Kelly produced a strong winning percentage (34-14), recruited well, and maintained competitive seasons.
• On the other hand: He did not deliver the championship standard LSU demands, and the risk of continuing seemed high given the latest downturn. Plus, the buyout is enormous — a heavy cost for the university.

Your take?