Brian Kelly became one of the highest-paid coaches in college football in 2021. The 10-year, $95 million deal came when the school initially hired him to be in Baton Rouge. Since then, he has a 34-13 record overall, including 19-9 in SEC play.
LSU started the 2025 season with a big 17-10 win over then-No. 4 Clemson. Kelly's team stacked up another three wins over Louisana Tech, Florida, and SE Louisiana before a 24-19 loss to Ole Miss. They bounced back last week against South Carolina, but couldn't take care of Vanderbilt with another loss on Saturday.
Given the turbulent play to start this year, and previously being on a hot seat at LSU, here's the details of Kelly's contract, including a formal buyout agreement.
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 would owe Kelly the eighth-most expensive in the country, totaling $53.3 million, if they terminated his contract early. This would be the second-largest sum paid by a program in college football history.
"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.
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
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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