Report: Brian Kelly rebuffs LSU settlement offers

Field Level Media|published: Mon 10th November, 10:43 2025

LSU head coach Brian Kelly runs off the field before a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. Ole Miss defeated LSU 24-19.

Former LSU coach Brian Kelly rejected two settlement offers and is seeking the full $54 million buyout owed under the terms of his contract, the Baton Rouge Advocate reported.

Kelly's attorneys have given the school a Monday deadline of 6 p.m. ET to confirm in writing that that they will pay him the full amount, or he will "pursue all available legal remedies," per the report.

Kelly was fired on Oct. 26 after a 5-3 start to his fourth season with the Tigers. He signed a 10-year, $95 million deal in November 2021.

According to the report, Kelly turned down a lump-sum offer of $25 million from former LSU athletic director Scott Woodward on Oct. 30 -- the day Woodward was fired -- and later declined a $30 million offer in two payments from executive deputy athletic director Julie Cromer.

Kelly, 64, compiled a 34-14 record at LSU. His 200-76 career record (10-6 in bowl games) includes stops at Central Michigan (2004-06), Cincinnati (2007-09) and Notre Dame (2010-21).

Associate head coach/running backs coach Frank Wilson is serving as interim head coach for the rest of the season. The Tigers (5-4, 2-4 Southeastern Conference) fell 20-9 at No. 4 Alabama on Saturday in Wilson's debut.

--Field Level Media