In a bold move before the 2022 season, LSU recruited Brian Kelly from Notre Dame, hoping he would lead the Tigers to national glory. While Kelly’s tenure saw the team achieve respectable results, winning 10 games in each of his first two seasons and securing a spot in the top 15 of the Coaches Poll, the ultimate goal of a national championship remained elusive. The Tigers’ struggles continued into this season, culminating in a disappointing 5-3 record, with losses in three of their last four games. As a result, LSU has decided to sever ties with Kelly.

Kelly departs LSU with a three-and-a-half-year record of 34-14, including a 19-10 mark in the SEC. Despite his solid performance, he leaves Baton Rouge without having delivered the coveted national title, although he exits with a significant financial package.

The details of Kelly’s buyout are still being finalized, but LSU is currently obligated to pay him a substantial $54 million.

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According to Kelly’s contract, the buyout is calculated at 90% of his remaining base salary and additional compensation, which includes a “longevity compensation” bonus scheduled for July 15, 2026. His contract was set to run through December 31, 2031, or the conclusion of the Tigers’ last game that season, whichever came later.

Additionally, Kelly’s contract contains a “duty to mitigate” clause, requiring him to seek other employment rather than simply collecting his buyout passively. At 64, retirement might seem appealing, but if Kelly wants to secure the full buyout amount, he must remain active in the job market.

Under his agreement, Kelly’s base salary was $400,000. He was also entitled to a $500,000 longevity compensation bonus each July 15, along with an extra $9 million in supplemental pay from January 1 of this year through December 31, 2026. This supplemental pay was set to increase by $200,000 every two years.

The combination of pay made Kelly a top-ten highest-paid coach in college football. Because of that, his buyout is also one of the wealthiest the college game has ever seen (assuming he gets paid the full amount). Penn State’s James Franklin got a $50 million buyout earlier this year. Texas A&M fired Jimbo Fisher in November 2023 and owes him $76 million, still the highest buyout for a college football coach.

Kelly is likely disheartened that he couldn’t lead the Tigers to another national championship. Falling short in that goal is probably easier to stomach when you’re being paid millions of dollars anyway.