Key Points
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LSU has fallen from No. 3 to No. 20 after losing two of its last three.
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Paul Finebaum said Brian Kelly’s relationship with LSU fans is “uncomfortable.”
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Kelly’s near-$52.4-million buyout makes any coaching change extremely costly.
In college football, a season can change in an instant. Just over a month ago, the LSU Tigers were ranked No. 3 and had an undefeated record. However, they have since lost two of their last three games and have fallen to No. 20 in the rankings.
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LSU’s most recent loss was a 31-24 defeat against the No. 10 Vanderbilt Commodores. The Tigers have now lost their last two games against ranked opponents. They face a challenging schedule ahead, with three more games against ranked teams this season, starting with the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies in their next home game.
Despite facing recent challenges, head coach Brian Kelly has had a successful tenure at LSU, with an overall record of 34-13 since he took over in 2022. However, he has yet to lead the Tigers to a national championship, a College Football Playoff appearance, or an SEC championship.
This situation prompted ESPN’s Paul Finebaum to express on “The Matt Barrie Show” that he believes Kelly’s job security is starting to become precarious.
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LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly looks on.Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
“It will,” Finebaum said. “I heard it throughout the week. There’s always been this difficult dance with Brian Kelly and LSU fans, but this past week it seemed to get even more uncomfortable. This is not losing to a Vanderbilt team in the past… but it’s still hard to sell to an LSU fan base on where they are right now.”
If LSU decides to part ways with Kelly, it faces a significant challenge due to his large buyout. Kelly signed a 10-year contract in 2021, which pays him $9.4 million this season. He still has six years and $58.2 million left on his deal, which extends through 2031.
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Kelly’s buyout stipulates that he will receive 90% of his salary for the remainder of his contract, amounting to $52,380,000 if he is fired after the season ends. If he is terminated during the season, the total payout will increase by adding 90% of the remaining balance of the $9.4 million he is owed for this year.
LSU’s upcoming schedule offers little relief, with three ranked opponents still ahead, starting with Texas A&M at home at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC on Saturday. His staggering buyout may buy him more time, but pressure continues to mount as LSU’s postseason hopes fade. The Tigers’ fan base expected playoff contention, not a midseason slide, and how Kelly responds in the coming weeks could define his tenure in Baton Rouge.
Related: Paul Finebaum Names College Football Program Close to Being a ‘Very Dangerous Team’
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
