LSU Fires Brian Kelly; $53M Buyout Reported

LSU fired head coach Brian Kelly on Oct. 26 after a 49–25 home loss to No. 3 Texas A&M, ending his four seasons in Baton Rouge with a 34–14 record and no College Football Playoff appearances amid a 5–3 start, fan unrest, offensive struggles and recruiting concerns. The program also relieved offensive coordinator Joe Sloan and named running backs coach Frank Wilson interim head coach while promoting Alex Atkins to offensive coordinator as LSU launches a national search. Kelly’s dismissal activates a reported $53–$54 million buyout tied to a 10‑year, roughly $95 million contract that could be reduced by a duty‑to‑mitigate clause if he takes another job. Multiple reports say a private donor is expected to cover the bulk of the buyout and LSU officials insist no public education, salary or scholarship funds will be used; Sports Illustrated reports no buyout settlement has been reached yet. Legal and industry experts warn that large guarantees, NIL and bidding dynamics have inflated coaching buyouts, and the firing has put athletic director Scott Woodward under new scrutiny.