LSU fires head coach Brian Kelly

LSU has fired head coach Brian Kelly, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. After losing in a 49-25 blowout against Texas A&M on Saturday, LSU fell to 5-3 on the season.

This comes after the conversations that took place the day following that loss to the Aggies. Officials within the athletic department, executives at the university, and even Gov. Jeff Landry began having “high-level discussions” on Kelly’s future as the football program’s head coach, Nakos reported earlier. The result coming out of an unusual day, going into their bye week, at their facility at that point was that his status was “in limbo” and “in flux” with the Tigers.

Kelly was in his fourth season as LSU’s head coach. The school will owe him a $53 million buyout, the second largest buyout in college football history, only trailing former Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher.

LSU hired Kelly in 2021, signing him to a 10-year, $95 million deal that also included incentives. In his four seasons at LSU, he led the program to a combined 34-14 overall record and a 19-10 mark in conference play.

LSU finished with 10 wins in each of Kelly’s first two seasons at LSU. However, in the 2024 campaign, the Tigers posted a 9-4 record. With three losses already this season, it appeared LSU was on pace for another season with fewer than 10 wins under Kelly.

Kelly took over at LSU after spending 10 seasons at Notre Dame. He also has head coaching experience at Cincinnati, Central Michigan and Grand Valley State.

Pressure built in Baton Rouge after LSU’s loss to Texas A&M in Week 9. During the loss, LSU fans chanted “Fire Kelly.” Moreover, Louisiana governor Jeff Landry tweeted at LSU’s athletic department, stating they should reconsider increasing ticket prices in wake of the Tigers’ lackluster performance.

It wasn’t the first time Kelly had come under fire at LSU. After LSU defeated Florida 20-10 in Week 3, Kelly loosed a fiery rant when a reporter asked him why the game was as close as it was.

“That football team just worked their tail off to get an SEC win and you want to know what’s wrong,” Kelly said. “You know what? You’re spoiled, you’re spoiled.

“This team is 17-1 at night, 17-1. Give them some respect, how about that? Give them some respect instead of microanalyzing every little thing. This is ridiculous for a group of seasoned reporters. That kind of question is so out of line.”

Brian Kelly isn’t the first coach at a Power Four program to be fired this season. Penn State parted ways with longtime HC James Franklin after the team suffered three consecutive losses. In the SEC, Florida fired Billy Napier, who was also in his fourth season with the program.

LSU will begin its search for its next head coach immediately. With the program’s storied history and impressive resources, the job will be one of the most sought-after in the country in the coaching carousel.