LSU has fired head coach Brian Kelly after three-plus seasons in Baton Rouge, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
The Tigers called a team meeting for Sunday night to announce Kelly’s dismissal. This came just hours after reports surfaced that LSU was in discussions about Kelly’s future.
Kelly’s buyout was negotiated down to $27 million, split from the original amount owed. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported the financial details.
If LSU and Brian Kelly agree to even half of his owed buyout – $27 million – FBS schools will have committed to spend more than $140 million on 10 fired coaches.
This is believed to be the most in the history of college athletics, topping 2023 ($132M).
It is still October.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) October 27, 2025
The decision follows back-to-back losses to Vanderbilt and Texas A&M that left the Tigers’ season in shambles.
Kelly never delivered the success LSU expected when they hired him from Notre Dame. The Tigers haven’t reached playoff contention under his leadership. His tenure included poor on-field results and several embarrassing recruiting videos that went viral.
LSU is one of college football’s premier programs with elite facilities and fan support.
The coaching search will likely focus on big names already generating speculation. Lane Kiffin has been linked to multiple openings this cycle, including Florida. Deion Sanders will probably get mentioned despite Colorado’s struggles this season.
Steve Sarkisian presents an intriguing possibility. The Athletic’s Diana Russini reported that the Texas coach expressed openness to NFL opportunities, specifically mentioning the Tennessee Titans. LSU could offer him a chance to stay in college football while moving to an even bigger program.
The Tigers job comes with significant advantages. Death Valley provides one of college football’s best home atmospheres. LSU sits in talent-rich Louisiana with strong recruiting pipelines throughout the South.
This marks another major opening in what’s become a chaotic coaching carousel season.
Kelly’s firing adds to the growing list of Power Five coaches dismissed this year. The $140 million in combined buyouts represents a record for college athletics spending on fired coaches in a single season.
