Part 4/8:
The payout involved in Kelly's termination is notably steep—around $57 million—highlighting the financial stakes tied to coaching at LSU. Such a substantial buyout signals how seriously the university takes its football success. Furthermore, Kelly’s prior decisions, including a complete overhaul of LSU’s defensive staff just 18 months ago, have come under scrutiny, especially when defensive collapses—as exemplified by the 49- to 60-point performances—highlight the misalignment between investment and results.
The university's leadership is now under pressure to identify a successor who can deliver immediate results. The question becomes: who will fill this high-pressure role?