Brian Kelly was the anomaly.
In a decades-long coaching career and with success at every single stop, Kelly never had been fired.
Until LSU did so 10 days ago on the final Sunday in October.
Now, as Kelly’s legal representatives and LSU’s council bicker over how much the state’s flagship school will pay Kelly of the $53-plus million promised him by the terms of his contract, Kelly has issued a statement.
“Sending a quick note to confirm that following my termination during our meeting today, I will return all LSU materials in my possession as required by my contract,” Kelly said in a statement sent to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, television station WAFB. “Let me know if it’s better for me to clean out my office, or if you would prefer to pack everything up and send it to me.
“I assume HR (human resources) will be in touch regarding any other housekeeping matters out there, but let me know if you need anything else from me in the meantime.”
Kelly, who’s hovered around 300 career NCAA wins as a head coach, pending the controversial decision to vacate some of his wins at Notre Dame, where he’s the school’s all-time leader, wasn’t finished with his comments.
“As we discussed in our meeting, I’m open to your desire to reach a settlement of what’s owed to me under the contract, although of course it would have to make sense financially,” Kelly added.
“Despite your decision to let me go (Oct. 27), I am grateful to have had the opportunity to lead this program over the last four years and wish you all the best going forward.”
Kelly simply signed the missive, “Best, Brian.”
While he posted a 34-14 record atop the Tigers program, and won 29 games as well as an SEC Western Division title in his first three seasons on the bayou, Kelly had seen LSU stumble to a three-losses-in-four-games stretch at the crux of the 2025 season.
The Tigers had been expected to challenge for a College Football Playoff berth, as well as the SEC Championship, with star quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, as well as a heralded defense under coordinator Blake Baker and an offensive line in which LSU had invested seven figures.
Instead, after a promising start, LSU lost at Ole Miss, at Vanderbilt and was blown out after an 18-14 halftime lead at home against Texas A&M, which is undefeated and ranked No. 3 nationally in the CFP under Mike Elko, Kelly’s former defensive coordinator at Notre Dame.
