Brian Kelly buyout, contract details as LSU Tigers coach

Jeff Hauser

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Brian Kelly buyout, contract details as LSU Tigers coach image

The abrupt dismissal of Brian Kelly as the head football coach of LSU, less than four years into his massive 10-year contract, marks a costly and stunning move that shows the pressure for immediate championships in Baton Rouge.

Despite accumulating a winning record of 34-14, Kelly's tenure was widely viewed as a profound disappointment due to his consistent inability to elevate the program to elite national status. Fans and administrators were not simply looking for nine or 10-win seasons; they expected College Football Playoff appearances and title contention, which remained elusive even with Heisman-caliber talent like Jayden Daniels on the roster.

The $54 million buyout LSU will pay to expedite his departure illustrates the extreme price of falling short of the Tigers' "National Championship or bust" standard. Here's more on how much Kelly is owed.

MORE: Why did LSU fire Brian Kelly?

Brian Kelly's buyout terms

According to USA TODAY Sports, Kelly would owe LSU $2 million in "liquidated damages" if he terminates his contract before 2031. This is the final tier in the contract which started at $4 million. Nothing would be owed if Scott Woodward is "not actively employed as Director of Athletics for LSU."

LSU owes Kelly the eighth-most expensive buyout in the country, totaling $53.3 million, if they terminated his contract early. This is be the second-largest sum paid by a program in college football history; only Jimbo Fisher with A&M is higher at $77 million.

"If the Team wins a National Championship during the Term, the liquidated damage obligation in Section 3 will increase from 90 percent to 100 percent of Base Salary and Supplemental Compensation," according to his contract terms.

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Brian Kelly's bonuses and extras

Kelly's original contract at LSU includes many monetary incentives, including a house, use of a private jet, potential personal and team achievements. He would receive a $100,000 bonus if LSU is invited to a New Year’s six bowl game, and $500,000 if the Tigers won a national championship.

$75,000: Participation in SEC Championship Game 

$100,000: New Year Six Bowl Participant

$150,000: Win SEC Championship Game 

$200,000: CFP Semifinal Game Participant 

$300,000: CFP Final Game Participant

$500,000: Bowl eligible 

$500,000: National Championship   

$50,000: SEC Coach of the Year
$75,000: National Coach of the Year

$1 million: Life insurance policy

$275,000: Personal air travel

"LSU, or an affiliated foundation, shall provide a secured interest-free mortgage loan
(not to exceed $1,200,000) of 20 percent of the purchase price of Employee's
primary domicile, located within a 30-mile radius of the LSU campus." 

Academic Performance Rate ("APR") as defined by the NCAA for the Program, as follows:
$25,000: APR above 930

$50,000: APR above 970

MORE: Ranking LSU's best candidates from Jimbo Fisher to Joe Brady

Kelly was a "championship" hire

When hiring Kelly in 2021, Woodward called it a "home-run hire" and said Kelly was the right man to lead LSU to championships. He has also described Kelly as "the epitome of a winner".

Kelly said, "I had a great football team that we were developing, but, you know, when you get an opportunity to talk to Woodward and he presents a clear vision, the plan here and the opportunity, it was an exciting vision for me to look at. As I got a chance to speak to more people about this opportunity, I just felt it was something that I had to take on."

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Contributing Writer