LSU is expected to fire Brian Kelly, according to a report.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel broke the news on Sunday evening. Thamel says Kelly was informed of the decision earlier in the day on Sunday. LSU has called a team meeting for Sunday night to inform players, according to the report.
Kelly’s expected departure follows a devastating 49-25 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday night in Death Valley.
Brian Kelly will be owed a substantial buyout that’s reportedly north of $50 million. According to details in his contract, he’s owed 90% of the remaining money on the initial deal he signed with LSU after the 2021 season.
If fired, Kelly will have lasted just under 4 seasons in Baton Rouge. He joined LSU after spending more than a decade at Notre Dame. He’d become the first LSU coach to depart without winning a National Championship since Gerry DiNardo.
According to a report from The Athletic, Kelly and LSU athletic director Scott Woodward had a “very tense” meeting on Sunday following the Texas A&M game.
LSU went 34-14 during Kelly’s tenure. He lost multiple SEC games in all 4 seasons at the helm, although he did win the SEC West title back in 2022. LSU is 19-10 in conference play under Kelly’s command.
According to multiple reports, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry was involved in the process that led to the decision to fire Kelly.
LSU is one of several high-profile jobs to open this cycle. Florida and Penn State have also fired their head coaches with numerous other power-conference openings expected to occur before the postseason begins.
LSU will be idle in Week 10 before facing off against Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 8. As of publication, an interim head coach for the Tigers has not yet been named.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
