LSU Fires Football Coach Brian Kelly Midway Through Fourth Season
LSU has fired head football coach Brian Kelly during his fourth season, potentially incurring a $54 million buyout. The decision follows a 5-3 record and failure to reach the College Football Playoff.
LSU fires football coach Brian Kelly
Chicago Sun-Times
Subscribe to unlock this story
We really don't like cutting you off, but you've reached your monthly limit. At just $5/month, subscriptions are how we keep this project going. Start your free 7-day trial today!
Get StartedHave an account? Sign in
Overview
- LSU fired football coach Brian Kelly midway through his fourth season, a decision that could cost the university $54 million in buyout funds from his 10-year, $100 million contract.
- Kelly's dismissal came after the Tigers' third loss of the season, a 49-25 defeat to Texas A&M, leaving the team with a 5-3 record and failing to qualify for the College Football Playoff.
- During his tenure, Kelly compiled a 34-14 record, led LSU to the 2022 SEC title game, and oversaw quarterback Jayden Daniels' development into a Heisman Trophy winner in 2023.
- Associate head coach Frank Wilson has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025 season following Kelly's unannounced departure from the program.
- Despite the team's appearances in the ReliaQuest Bowl and Texas Bowl, the failure to secure a playoff berth, especially with the expanded 12-team format for 2024, contributed to the decision.
Report issue
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the firing of LSU coach Brian Kelly neutrally, focusing on factual reporting. They present the news directly, detailing the athletic director's announcement, Kelly's record, and the financial implications without editorializing. The coverage prioritizes objective information, allowing readers to form their own conclusions based on the presented facts.
"The move comes on the heels of Saturday night’s 49-25 loss to No. 3 Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium — a second straight loss, and third in four games for LSU (5-3, 2-3 Southeastern Conference)."
Chicago Sun-Times"Ultimately, the success at the level that LSU demands simply did not materialize."
Associated Press"The move comes on the heels of Saturday night’s 49-25 loss to No. 3 Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium — a second straight loss, and third in four games for LSU (5-3, 2-3 Southeastern Conference)."
Chicago Tribune"The firing has turned what looked like perhaps an outlier event — firing a head coach despite the pain of a massive buyout — into a trend."
NBC News"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."
USA TODAYArticles (7)
Center (5)
FAQ
LSU faces a buyout payment of approximately $54 million to Brian Kelly following his firing, which is one of the largest buyouts in college football history and could significantly impact the university's finances.
Brian Kelly compiled a 34-14 record at LSU, led the team to the 2022 SEC title game, and developed quarterback Jayden Daniels into a Heisman Trophy winner in 2023.
Associate head coach Frank Wilson has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025 season following Brian Kelly's departure.
Factors included the team’s 5-3 record with three losses, failure to qualify for the College Football Playoff despite an expanded format, and a significant defeat to Texas A&M, which led to dissatisfaction with the program's performance.
Brian Kelly signed a 10-year contract worth approximately $100 million with LSU in 2021, with a salary of about $10.2 million per year and a buyout clause near $54 million as of 2025.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.