LSU Fires Brian Kelly After 49–25 Loss

LSU fired head coach Brian Kelly on Oct. 26 after the Tigers’ 49–25 loss to Texas A&M, ending his fourth season in Baton Rouge with a 34–14 record and no College Football Playoff appearances. The dismissal followed a 5–3 start, mounting fan unrest and offensive struggles — including disappointing play from projected quarterback Garrett Nussmeier — and concerns about recruiting as classes slid and the program leaned on the transfer portal. Reports peg Kelly’s buyout at roughly $53–$54 million, with some outlets saying payments may be split and noting a duty-to-mitigate clause in his contract. Athletic director Scott Woodward’s job is now under scrutiny as LSU pursues replacements, and Ole Miss’s Lane Kiffin has been reported as a prime target at a projected $13–14 million annual salary. The program faces short-term instability in recruiting and staffing even as LSU’s history, fanbase and regional talent maintain its long-term appeal.