Brian Kelly’s LSU contract buyout is Jimbo Fisher ridiculous

Contract buyouts are becoming a staple of the college football landscape. But that doesn't make their price tags any less absurd.

The Texas A&M Aggies had to pay Jimbo Fisher $77.6 million in a contract buyout last season after parting ways with the former national champion head coach. That number won't be topped any time soon, but the LSU Tigers could get close with head coach Brian Kelly.

According to Stewart Mandel with The Athletic , Kelly's current contract buyout will at around $60 million after the 2024 season.

Granted, it would likely take a massively disappointing season from the Tigers to be willing to give out that kind of money to fire Kelly. He's a polarizing head coach in college football, but Kelly is getting results, leading LSU to a 20-7 record over his first two seasons.

The Tigers are even better shape to contend for a national title now thanks to the updated landscape. An expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, along with the SEC scrapping its divisions for this season, opens the door for the Tigers to compete for both conference and national championships.

Meanwhile, Kelly and his staff have produced an outstanding 2025 recruiting class. They currently have the No. 4 class in the country according to On3's rankings , headlined by the consensus No. 1 player in the nation in quarterback Bryce Underwood.

Still, LSU fans are expecting nothing short of competing for a national championship. If Kelly's Tigers can't find a way to make that a reality soon, then the fanbase will start clamoring for a replacement.