Brian Kelly's firing letter to LSU obtained, coach open to buyout settlement with school

Now-former LSU head football coach Brian Kelly reportedly submitted an email confirming his termination last Sunday in which he expressed his desire to reach a settlement of his reported $54 million buyout, according to records obtained by WAFB-Baton Rouge. Kelly was relieved of his duties on Oct. 26, one day after an embarrassing 49-25 loss at home to No. 3 Texas A&M doomed the Tigers’ chances of reaching the College Football Playoff for a fourth consecutive season.

“As we discussed in our meeting, I’m open to your desire to reach a settlement of what’s owed to me under the contract, although of course it would have to make sense financially,” Kelly’s emailed letter read, per WAFB. “Despite your decision to let me go today, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to lead this program over the last four years and wish you all the best going forward. Best, Brian.”

Negotiations between Kelly and the LSU administration appear ongoing as the two parties explore ways to reduce the total buyout figured owed, which is approximately 90-percent of his remaining salary owed on the 10-year, $95 million deal Kelly signed in November 2021 after leaving Notre Dame. Kelly’s $54 million buyout, if a settlement to reduce the price tag is not reached, would be the second largest ever awarded to a Power Four head coach, behind only the $77 million owed to former Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher following his 2023 firing.

Kelly is currently still receiving his monthly dispursment of $740,185 through the end of the year as part of his $10.175 salary this season, according to On3‘s Pete Nakos. Kelly leaves LSU after a little more than 3 1/2 seasons in Baton Rouge, during which he compiled a 34-14 overall record and 19-10 in SEC play, but failed to reach the College Football Playoff in any of his four years.

Read the full email Kelly sent then-LSU athletic director Scott Woodward, who was fired himself one day after Kelly, along with fellow Tigers athletic administrators Verge Ausberry, Julie Cromer and Austin Thomas, courtesy of WAFB-9 in Baton Rouge:

“Scott and team,
Sending a quick note to confirm that following my termination during our meeting today, I will
return all LSU materials in my possession as required by my contract. Let me know if it’s
better for me to clean out my office, or if you would prefer to pack everything up and send it to
me. I assume HR will be in touch regarding any other housekeeping matters out there, but let me know if you need anything else from me in the meantime. As we discussed in our meeting, I’m open to your desire to reach a settlement of what’s owed to me under the contract, although of course it would have to make sense financially. Despite your decision to let me go today, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to lead this program over the last four years and wish you all the best going forward.
Best, Brian”