The Brian Kelly era at LSU has officially come to an end. The Tigers dismissed their head coach a day after suffering a significant loss, 49-25, to Texas A&M.

As negotiations continue, Kelly’s buyout is projected to exceed $50 million, making it among the largest in college football history, second only to Jimbo Fisher’s substantial payout of over $76 million after his firing from Texas A&M in November 2023.

Kelly’s contract, signed in 2021, originally spanned ten years with a salary of $9.4 million this season, leaving six years and $58.2 million on his deal, set to last until 2031. His agreement stipulates he receives 90% of his remaining earnings, totaling around $52.38 million.

Remarkably, three of the five largest buyouts in college football history have occurred during the ongoing 2025 season. Notably, James Franklin of Penn State was released after a loss to Northwestern earlier this month, with a buyout of $49 million, closely following Kelly’s.

A week later, Florida parted ways with Billy Napier, who is set to receive a $21 million payout following a 22-23 record over three seasons.

As LSU searches for a new head coach, let’s rank the all-time buyouts:

1. Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M - $76.8 million
   Fisher’s dismissal came after Texas A&M’s disappointing performance, where they finished 6-4 in his last season, despite a promising 9-1 record during the shortened COVID season.

2. Brian Kelly, LSU - $53.8 million
   Hired with hopes to restore the Tigers to their former glory, Kelly’s tenure saw several missed playoff opportunities.

3. James Franklin, Penn State - $49 million
   After aiming for national title contention, Franklin’s tenure ended disappointingly following consecutive losses.

4. Gus Malzahn, Auburn - $21.4 million
   His exit in 2020 marked the beginning of a turbulent period for the program as they seek stability.

5. Billy Napier, Florida - $21.2 million
   His short-lived tenure resulted in a quick exit after a promising start.

6. Charlie Weis, Notre Dame - $18.9 million
   Fired after a mediocre season in 2009 after previously enjoying a ten-win season.

7. Willie Taggart, Florida State - $18 million
   His tumultuous relationship with the Seminoles ended prematurely after a disappointing record.

8. Ed Orgeron, LSU - $16.9 million
   The coach who led LSU to a national title was dismissed soon after.

9. Tom Allen, Indiana - $15.5 million
   His tenure ended as Indiana transitioned to a more successful coaching era.

10. Tom Herman, Texas - $15.4 million
    After notable successes, Texas chose to move forward with a new direction.