The Brian Kelly era still lingers at LSU, as the two kicked off a messy divorce. His buyout of $54 million was always going to be a tough price to gather. Naturally, LSU is trying to stay afloat with a desperate move. But it’s crystal clear who the winner is in this battle.

LSU called an urgent Board of Supervisors meeting on the morning of November 21 to discuss Brian Kelly’s departure and the lawsuit surrounding his buyout. The Board voted to send Kelly an official termination letter within 30 minutes. However, LSU did not announce whether this termination will be for cause or not. That is where the whole controversy has stemmed from. And, it doesn’t look like LSU is getting away with this loophole.

“Approximately zero” is the chance of LSU not paying Brian Kelly full buyout, one expert attorney says,” Glen Guilbeau of TigerRag.com wrote on X. A for-cause termination would lessen Brian Kelly’s buyout figure from the steep $54 million. But on paper, the former HC’s record has nothing to imply he did anything worthy of being said cause. Prior to LSU announcing this new for cause angle, it had maintained that Kelly was being let go because of being unable to deliver the results.

The Tigers parted ways with former AD Scott Woodward 4 days after the coach. They then used this as an avenue to take advantage of the loophole. According to LSU, Woodward didn’t have the “authority to terminate Coach Kelly and/or make settlement offers to him.” This helps LSU claim that Brian Kelly was never officially terminated. “Seems like a Hail Mary by LSU,” ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg wrote.

Kelly had threatened legal action on LSU in a letter to the school, if they did not send confirmation of paying the buyout by November 10. His lawyers had also revealed that he refused settlement offers of $25 and $30 million from the school. However, on the date that Kelly outlined, his lawyers announced that they will be filing a lawsuit after LSU communicated its new agenda. That was Kelly making his first move, and the Tigers countered it with this urgent meeting and termination letter.

The steep figure was a big reason why the football community was not convinced about LSU actually pulling the trigger. $54 million looked like it was enough to seal Brian Kelly at Baton Rouge. But instead, he leaves LSU handicapped with that number.

LSU parted with less money in 10 years compared to amount due for Brian Kelly

While the Tigers continue to use every possible weapon at their disposal, they have a troubling track record. In this past decade, LSU has had to pay more than $43 million in buyouts to various coaches and athletic department hires. Kelly potentially leaving with $54 million more will wreck the bank at Baton Rouge.

According to records acquired by Tiger Rag and The Louisiana Illuminator, LSU had totaled upwards of $43 million for parting ways with 2 football coaches, 1 AD, a swimming HC, and 32 assistants across sports. The football hires were of course, Ed Orgeron and Les Miles. The former’s buyout alone costed $17 million. The Louisiana Illuminator also reported that Milles accepted a settlement worth $1.5 million, instead of the due $6.5 million.

Top Stories

Josh Allen Announces Critical Injury Update as Bills QB Makes Career History Against Jaguars

Josh Jacobs Confirms Position on Matt LaFleur Firing After Packers HC Puts All Blame on Locker Room

Fired John Harbaugh Announces News for Giants & Browns as Ex-Ravens HC Confirms Stance on NFL Job – Report

Eagles’ AJ Brown Awaits Punishment For Violating NFL Policy After WR’s Costly Mistake in Wildcard Loss

Nick Sirianni Doesn’t Hold Back on AJ Brown, Sends Strong Message to Locker Room After Eagles’ Playoff Exit

Who is Chris Fleeger? All About Wrestling Coach Involving Marcus Freeman in Controversy

Brian Kelly is not someone who is to be messed with. He wants the full buyout now, and nothing else. With LSU taking its first step to try and prevent that from happening, we’ll have to wait what more comes up as the Tigers try to find cause in his termination. Brian Kelly was not a very popular figure at Baton Rouge. But he hasn’t done anything outrageous enough to violate such an important aspect of his contract.