Brian Kelly was let go following a “very tense” discussion with LSU’s athletic director, Scott Woodward.
After a disappointing loss to Texas A&M at home, Woodward and Kelly met on Sunday to discuss changes to the coaching staff. The conversation reportedly became heated.
Woodward pushed for the dismissal of offensive play-caller Joe Sloan, while Kelly suggested other changes, which did not sit well with Woodward. Ultimately, the school announced Sloan’s firing on Monday morning, affirming Woodward’s stance.
There were also “threats about negotiating a settlement” related to Kelly’s substantial $54 million buyout, according to reports. The university mentioned that the terms for his departure were still being worked out.
LSU, currently at 5-3, began the season strong with a 4-0 record but has struggled lately, losing three of their last four games against Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M. They rank 14th in the SEC for total offense this year, managing 355.5 yards per game.
Having previously coached at Notre Dame for twelve years, Kelly ends his three-year stint at LSU with a 34-14 record, with his first three seasons yielding records of 10-4, 10-3, and 9-4.
In a statement, Woodward reflected on the initial optimism when Kelly joined LSU, expressing disappointment that the team did not achieve the success expected. “At the end of the day, we didn’t have the level of success that LSU requires,” he stated.
This firing aligns with a recent trend of major programs not hesitating to pay hefty buyouts for coaches they choose to dismiss.
Last month, Penn State also parted ways with James Franklin, despite him having a $49 million buyout, after a third consecutive loss against Northwestern at home.
Similarly, Florida State dismissed Billy Napier, leaving him with a $21 million payout.
Frank Wilson, the associate head coach, will step in as interim head coach for LSU.
