Brian Kelly's seat is warming up in Baton Rouge as the Tigers appear likely to miss the College Football Playoff once again

After another ranked road loss, LSU football head coach Brian Kelly is catching heat. Here's what a USA TODAY columnist had to say.

Like his salary, Brian Kelly's buyout is among the top-10 biggest in college football. According to USA TODAY Sports' database of college coaches' salaries, LSU would owe Kelly $53,293,333, as of December 1, 2025, if the Tigers fired him without cause.

Brian Kelly became one of the highest-paid coaches in college football in 2021. The 10-year, $95 million deal came when the school initially hired him to be in Baton Rouge. Since then, he has a 34-13 record overall, including 19-9 in SEC play.

Open the Youtube video By losing at Vanderbilt on Saturday, LSU fell to 5-2 overall, likely needing to win out to even potentially make the SEC Championship and definitely needing to in order to be in the College Football Playoff.

There are plenty of job openings at this stage of the season, and Brian Kelly may gradually get more buzz for other jobs.

Lincoln Riley and Brian Kelly were hired on back-to-back days in November of 2021. Four years later, they and their programs are adrift and lost

The senior quarterback who started his career at New Mexico State finished the game having completed 14-of-22 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown, while also torching the Tigers’ defense with his legs. Pavia rushed for 86 of the team’s 239 yards on the ground and powered in two rushing scores.