BREAKING NEWS: LSU Terminates Brian Kelly — Owes Him $54 Million
In a stunning turn of events, Brian Kelly has officially been informed in writing that his contract with Louisiana State University (LSU) is terminated without cause, sources confirmed to Pete Thamel.
That decision locks in a nearly $54 million buyout** owed to Kelly — the remainder of his deal, set to run through 2031.
The Road to the Termination Letter
Kelly was originally relieved of his coaching duties on October 26, just a day after a 49–25 loss to Texas A&M Aggies. At the time, LSU wrapped the firing in performance-based reasoning.
But confusion quickly followed. According to court filings lodged by Kelly’s attorneys on November 10, LSU never formally terminated him — and later suggested the firing might have been for cause, which would drastically reduce his payout.
The disagreement triggered a legal battle. LSU attempted to negotiate settlements — first offering $25 million, then $30 million — until Kelly rejected both.
The stalemate ended this week when the university’s board authorized new president Wade Rousse to issue a formal termination letter. That letter explicitly confirms Kelly was dismissed without cause.
What This Means for Kelly — And for LSU
With the “without cause” designation, Kelly is entitled to the full buyout under the terms of his 10-year, ≈$100 million contract.
His contract does include a “duty to mitigate” clause, meaning Kelly must make “good-faith, reasonable and sustained efforts” to secure new employment in order for LSU to continue payments.
If he lands a comparable job (e.g., another head-coaching role), any new salary will offset the amount LSU owes — potentially reducing the total payout.
Should he not find a new gig, LSU could be writing checks for roughly $9 million per year for the next six years.
How the Saga Unfolded — And What It Signals
The abrupt firing followed a dismal collapse late in the 2025 season, culminating in the loss to Texas A&M. Yet the lack of formal termination created a months-long legal limbo, leaving Kelly unable to pursue new employment.
LSU’s leadership changed — former athletic director Scott Woodward resigned under mounting pressure.
The written termination came only after the school’s board weighed in — indicating the depth of internal instability.
Beyond the financial implications, the episode spotlights how precarious high-stakes coaching jobs can be — even lucrative 10-year contracts can unravel overnight if performance and politics collide.
For LSU, the nearly $54 million liability looms large. For Kelly, it may become a soft landing — assuming he finds a new role worthy of mitigating the payout.