LSU head coach Brian Kelly faces backlash as fans call to fire him after A&M loss: Inside his $52 million contract and buyout price tag | International Sports News – The Times of India
The 2025 season was meant to be LSU’s big comeback under Brian Kelly — a run to prove the Tigers still belonged among college football’s best. But just eight weeks in, things have unraveled fast. A crushing 49-25 loss to No. 3 Texas A&M in Death Valley has ended any realistic College Football Playoff hopes and turned up the heat on Kelly. LSU, which started the year with a “Playoff or bust” attitude, now sits at 5-3 and facing growing anger from its fans. Social media exploded after the loss, and “Fire Kelly!” chants filled Tiger Stadium as the Tigers fell apart in the second half.
Once-promising season turns into a nightmare stretch for LSU
LSU has now dropped three of its last four games, including losses to Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M — all in the past month. What makes the latest defeat sting even more is how it happened: the Tigers led 18-14 at halftime before getting outscored 35-7 in the final two quarters. The setback dropped LSU to 5-3 overall and 2-3 in SEC play, effectively ending any playoff hopes before November. With No. 4 Alabama coming up after the bye week, the Tigers are in danger of spiraling further unless something changes quickly. Kelly’s record at LSU now stands at 34-14 over four seasons, with at least three losses in every campaign and no playoff appearances. For a program that measures success by national titles, that trend has worn thin.
What is Brian Kelly’s buyout at LSU? Tigers face tough call after crushing loss
It’s not just the on-field struggles creating pressure at LSU — it’s the price tag that comes with making a change. Brian Kelly’s contract makes any move incredibly expensive for the school. The 63-year-old coach signed a 10-year deal in 2021 worth $9.4 million per year, running through 2031. Per USA Today, LSU would owe Kelly about 90% of his remaining salary if he’s fired without cause — roughly $52.38 million after this season, one of the biggest buyouts in college football. If the school made that move midseason, the cost would climb even higher, as the rest of his 2025 salary would be added in. Kelly is also set to make over $10 million next year, with up to $1.3 million in bonuses available. That staggering number has made some in Baton Rouge hesitate, even as anger grows among fans. Still, as Penn State’s recent firing of James Franklin showed, massive buyouts don’t always stop schools from pulling the trigger when pressure reaches a breaking point.
Could retirement be an option for Kelly?
While firing Kelly would be costly, there’s also speculation about whether the veteran coach could step away on his own terms. At 63, Kelly has navigated multiple eras of college football and might be weighing retirement in a rapidly changing landscape dominated by NIL deals and revenue-sharing debates. Several high-profile coaches have recently left the game citing burnout and shifting priorities, and Kelly could find himself at a similar crossroads if the 2025 season continues to unravel.Whether the Tigers rally or continue to slide, one thing is clear — the spotlight on Baton Rouge has never burned brighter.Also read: Will Joe Burrow return in Week 8? Major injury update for Bengals star before Jets showdown
