Brian Kelly Pushes LSU for $53M Buyout, Refuses Partial Offers

The Brian Kelly era may be over at LSU, but the school is still dealing with the financial ramifications of the coach’s $53 million buyout—the second largest in college football history.

Last week, Kelly’s lawyers informed LSU that he wants the school to “fulfill its contractual obligation” to pay him the “full liquidated damages,” after rejecting two separate settlement offers of $25 million and $30 million, according to The New Orleans Advocate.

While Kelly’s representatives said he remains “open to any additional offers,” they also said they intend to “pursue all available legal remedies” if LSU doesn’t confirm its intent to pay the full amount.

LSU is sorting through the Kelly fallout and searching for its next head coach, under new leadership, with athletic director Verge Ausberry and university president Wade Rousse just starting their new roles this month. Former AD Scott Woodward—who drew the ire of Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry—was fired Oct. 30.

Kelly’s high-priced exit is the latest example of complicated college football coaching buyouts, which can vary greatly depending on the terms in each deal. 

Penn State, for example, owes James Franklin nearly $50 million, but it could end up paying him much less due to offset language that would lower the cost if Franklin accepts another job in coaching or sports media. Kelly’s contract contains similar offset language, which would potentially come into effect if a settlement is not reached.

Jimbo Fisher’s record $77 million buyout from Texas A&M—the most expensive of all time—did not include any offset language.