LSU is in discussions about Brian Kelly’s future, sources informed ESPN on Sunday, and that features outreach to Kelly about his potential departure as Tigers coach.
The scenario is in flux following the Tigers’ 49-25 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday night time in Baton Rouge. Kelly is owed simply over $54 million in buyout cash, and that looms as one of many points within the discussions.
No decision has been reached. However Kelly left the workplace early Sunday afternoon, and didn’t return, sources informed ESPN. The Tigers are on a bye week, so attendance of some workers there was optionally available.
Kelly has compiled a 34-14 report over 4 seasons at LSU, profitable slightly below 71% of his video games. However the Tigers have misplaced three of previous 4 video games, all within the SEC, and Saturday’s loss to the Aggies was one during which the street group scored 35 straight factors to open the second half, as “Hearth Kelly” chants reverberated inside Tiger Stadium.
Kelly gained an SEC West Division title in his first 12 months with the Tigers and coached Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels in 2023, however an 8-4 common season final 12 months that included three straight double-digit losses to Texas A&M, Alabama and Florida stirred some discontent headed into 12 months 4.
LSU made some vital portal upgrades within the offseason at large receiver and defensive position, and took each alternative to advertise its quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier, for the Heisman Trophy. However the Tigers wilted below the SEC highlight in a 12 months the place they had been among the many favorites to win the league.
Sunday started with the LSU workers bracing for workers modifications, as they entered the week at No. 82 in scoring offense, No. 96 in complete offense and No. 122 in passing offense. This system’s protection wilted within the final two video games, a loss at Vanderbilt and the house blowout to the Aggies.
However the day handed, and by early night, it turned obvious to these at LSU that the discussions had been occurring on an even bigger scale, sources informed ESPN. A centerpiece of the discussions over Kelly’s departure is his buyout, which is near $54 million. That cash is topic to off-set, however Kelly is 64 and it would be unsure if he’d work once more.
Kelly signed a 10-year deal when he made the seismic transfer to return to LSU from Notre Dame in November of 2021, a transfer on the time seen as a win for athletic director Scott Woodward. That deal included $95 million in wage, 90-percent of which is assured.
His listed wage is slightly below $10.2 million, per the USA Right now teaching database. The contract goes by the tip of the 2031 season, as he has six years remaining on the deal.
The Tigers subsequent play on Nov. 8, taking over No. 4 Alabama in Tuscaloosa.