The LSU Tigers have officially fired head coach Brian Kelly after a 49–25 home loss to Texas A&M, a defeat that capped off weeks of speculation surrounding his future with the program. The loss dropped LSU to 5–3 overall and 2–3 in the SEC, effectively eliminating the Tigers from College Football Playoff contention.

According to ESPN, Kelly was informed of the university’s decision on Sunday morning following internal discussions among athletic department leadership.

“It was a tough decision, but we felt the program needed new direction,” one LSU official told ESPN.

Brian Kelly’s LSU Tenure Ends Abruptly

Kelly departs Baton Rouge with a 34–14 record over nearly four seasons. After being hired away from Notre Dame in December 2021, he led LSU to an SEC West title in 2022 and multiple bowl appearances but failed to deliver a sustained championship run.

Despite the early promise, LSU’s defense struggled throughout the 2025 campaign, ranking near the bottom of the SEC in yards allowed. Fan frustration reached its peak Saturday night as chants of “Fire Kelly” echoed through Tiger Stadium.

One of the Most Expensive Firings in College Football History

Per CBS Sports, LSU is on the hook for a buyout exceeding $50 million, one of the largest ever paid to a college football coach. Kelly’s 10-year, $95 million contract was fully guaranteed, leaving the school’s athletic department to absorb a massive financial hit.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also weighed in, criticizing both the team’s performance and rising athletic costs amid the buyout news.

Interim Coach and What Comes Next

Associate head coach Frank Wilson will serve as LSU’s interim head coach for the remainder of the season while the school begins an immediate national search for Kelly’s successor.

Early names being floated include Dan Lanning (Oregon), Kalen DeBoer (Alabama), and Mike Norvell (Florida State) — though each would come with their own buyout challenges and recruiting implications.

Sources:

Reuters | ESPN | CBS Sports | SB Nation