LSU fires Kelly, still finalizing his $54M buyout

LSU fired coach Brian Kelly, athletic director Scott Woodward announced Sunday night, minutes after the players were informed of the decision during a team meeting.

Talks regarding the terms of his departure are continuing, the school said in a statement. Kelly is owed just more than $54 million in buyout money.

Kelly left the office early Sunday afternoon and did not return, sources told ESPN. The Tigers are on a bye week, so attendance of some staff was optional.

«We had high hopes that he would lead us to multiple SEC and national championships during his time in Baton Rouge,» Woodward said in the announcement, which came a day after the Tigers’ 49-25 loss to Texas A&M. «Ultimately, the success at the level that LSU demands simply did not materialize, and I made the decision to make a change after last night’s game.

«I am grateful for the ongoing consultations and support of the LSU board of supervisors and Interim President Matt Lee in this decision. We wish Coach Kelly and his family the very best in their future endeavors. We will continue to negotiate his separation and will work toward a path that is better for both parties.»

Frank Wilson, LSU’s associate head coach and running backs coach, will take over the team as interim head coach. The Tigers next play on Nov. 8, against No. 4 Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Kelly, 64, compiled a 34-14 record over four seasons at LSU, winning just under 71% of his games. But the Tigers have lost three of their past four games, all in the SEC, and Saturday’s loss to the Aggies was one in which the road team scored 35 straight points to open the second half, as «Fire Kelly» chants reverberated inside Tiger Stadium.

«As a proud alum, and as the current caretaker of our athletics programs, I will not compromise in our pursuit of excellence and we will not lower our standards,» Woodward said. «I continue to believe that LSU is the best football program in America, and that our head coach position is among the best considering our investment, our ability to attract and retain talent, our unbelievable fans, and our institutional and statewide commitment to — and love for — LSU Football.»

Kelly won an SEC West Division title in his first year with the Tigers and coached Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels in 2023, but an 8-4 regular season in 2024 that included three straight double-digit losses to Texas A&M, Alabama and Florida stirred some discontent headed into Year 4.

LSU made some significant transfer portal upgrades in the offseason at wide receiver and defensive line, and it took every opportunity to promote its quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier, for the Heisman Trophy. But the Tigers wilted under the SEC spotlight in a season in which they were among the preseason favorites to win the conference.

Sunday began with the LSU staff bracing for changes, as the Tigers entered the week ranked 82nd in scoring offense, 96th in total offense and 122nd in passing offense. The program’s defense collapsed in the past two games with a loss at Vanderbilt and the home blowout to the Aggies.

But the day passed, and by early evening, it became apparent to those at LSU that the discussions were happening on a larger scale. A centerpiece of the discussions was — and still is — Kelly’s buyout. That money is subject to offset if Kelly takes a new coaching job next season.

Kelly signed a 10-year deal when he made the seismic move to come to LSU from Notre Dame in November 2021, a move that was viewed as a win for Woodward. That deal included $95 million in salary, 90% of which was guaranteed.

Kelly’s listed salary was just under $10.2 million, per the USA Today coaching database. The contract was scheduled to go through the end of the 2031 season.

«We will immediately begin a national search for a new head football coach,» Woodward said. «And I am confident in our ability to bring to Baton Rouge an outstanding leader, teacher and coach, who fits our culture and community and who embraces the excellence that we demand.»