Brian Kelly’s out of Baton Rouge, but his name hasn’t left the headlines. Just over a week after LSU pulled the plug on his 10-year, $100 million deal in its fourth season, the debate continues. The move was authored by ex-AD Scott Woodward and Governor Jeff Landry. Days later, the Brian Kelly firing decision gained a surprising nod of approval from one of the state’s most recognizable figures.

On November 7, 104.5 ESPN invited LSU booster Gordon McKernan on the show. And it was obvious that the topic of the Tigers pulling the trigger on Kelly would come up. Without mincing his words, Louisiana’s most recognizable personal injury attorneys shared, “I think it needed to happen. We were losing money either way, right? One way we’re losing money on the field is with Brian Kelly and all those things. …the other way, we’re losing money doing the buyout.”

McKernan’s opinion on Kelly carries real weight. He is no stranger to LSU athletics. With an estimated net worth of $50 million, the powerhouse attorney has built deep ties to Louisiana’s sports scene. He signed NIL deals with dozens of collegiate stars, including Alexis Morris, five-star tight end Trey’Dez Green, among others. Those partnerships go far beyond signatures on paper. With commercials, social media campaigns, and surprise gifts (like Will Campbell’s new car), by now McKernan has developed close bonds with the players.

Close enough for them to confess to him about how Kelly’s attitude affected the culture in the locker room. As the attorney noted, “He wasn’t as committed. My players, at least, were telling the guys on my team, were telling me, I don’t really know him, he doesn’t spend time with us.” There have been a lot of charges reported against Kelly. 

A staffer then told The Athletic, “He’ll never talk to you guys. He doesn’t even know the players’ names.” As former LSU defensive back Matthew Langlois called Kelly “one of the worst humans.” He claimed that back in Baton Rouge, Kelly “FORCED” him to medically retire after suffering a season-ending injury in 2021. One current staff member told Wilson Alexander of The Advocate that he did not see Kelly, even for once, in his first four weeks in the camp.

Kelly’s LSU story closed at 34 wins and 14 losses, a record most programs would celebrate, but not one that satisfies Tiger Nation’s championship appetite. Failing to deliver a fifth national crown was part of it, despite a $100 million burden might have been a big enough reason. But Landry’s decision to move on ran deeper than just numbers. Meanwhile, even on his way out the door, Kelly made it a point to defend his legacy.

Brian Kelly flexed his milestones in his farewell letter

Finally time came for the former LSU head coach to wrap his Tigers chapter as he did by penning a long farewell note. It began with Kelly sharing how he and his family were 100% confident about the challenge that came with the Baton Rouge offer. However, things did not go as he might have envisioned. But Kelly then highlighted all the achievements and the good memories he will be carrying with him. 

“I will remember and appreciate what we did accomplish. All of the exceptional student-athletes I had the privilege to coach. A Heisman Trophy winner and more than a dozen Tigers playing on Sundays,” he wrote. However, while moving out, Kelly wanted to iron out all the differences between him and LSU. That’s why he proposed to come to a middle ground with his former program.

As WAFB reported, Brian Kelly shared that he has been up for a settlement of the amount LSU owes him. The Tigers’ split with Kelly comes with a serious price tag. A $54 million tab that includes a prorated $167,667 retention bonus and $91,667 left in his travel fund. He’ll collect every dollar LSU owes him, but what he couldn’t cash in on was respect- not from the boosters, not from the locker room, not from his own sideline.