Brian Kelly. Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

LSU makes major Brian Kelly decision amid Lane Kiffin pursuit

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Nov 27, 2025 8:00 AM ET

Instead of going to court, the LSU Tigers are reportedly forking over former head coach Brian Kelly's massive buyout.

On Wednesday night, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that Kelly received written notice that he has been terminated without cause, which will require the school to pay him the remaining money on his contract. The Tigers will owe him a whopping $54M, the second-largest buyout in college football history behind former Texas A&M Aggies HC Jimbo Fisher's ($76.8M).

LSU clearly wanted to avoid paying Kelly, but he was determined to get his money. His lawyer had reportedly sent a letter to LSU that said its actions "made it nearly impossible" for the coach to land another job, which would've reduced his buyout. LSU, however, would face a hassle if it prolonged the legal battle, potentially hurting its chances of luring HC Lane Kiffin away from the Ole Miss Rebels.

How paying Brian Kelly's buyout helps LSU focus on Lane Kiffin pursuit

A long-winded legal dispute with Kelly would've been a distraction that could've drained the school's finances, worsening its standing with Kiffin, who the Tigers have been aggressively pursuing.

Sources: Brian Kelly has been informed in writing that he’s been terminated by LSU without cause. This means LSU is set to owe him the nearly $54 million remaining on his contract.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 26, 2025

The Athletic's Manny Navarro reported LSU has offered Kiffin a seven-year deal worth $14M annually to leave Ole Miss. His contract with the Rebels pays him $9M per year.

Kiffin, though, is weighing his options before Ole Miss' rivalry game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Friday. The Florida Gators are also pursuing the HC, who's expected to clarify his plans after the Rebels play the Bulldogs in the Egg Bowl.

Kiffin may want to stay put at Ole Miss — which is 10-1 and on the verge of securing its first College Football Playoff berth — rather than flock to a program that looks like a declining power. Since winning the national championship during the 2019 season, the Tigers haven't made it back to the CFP and have won 10 or more games twice.

Resolving the Kelly situation could be LSU's way of showing Kiffin it has its affairs in order and is now focused on giving him the resources he needs to bring a title back to Baton Rouge.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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