What is Brian Kelly’s salary with LSU football?
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2023-09-04 09:19
Brian Kelly is one of the highest-paid coaches in college football after signing a massive contract with the LSU Tigers.

When LSU football swayed Brian Kelly to leave Notre Dame for Baton Rouge, they had to offer him a contract he couldn't refuse.

Kelly has been successful at every stop, from Grand Valley State in Division II to Central Michiga to Cincinnati to Notre Dame.

LSU was looking for a coach to replace Ed Orgeron with the capability of leading the Tigers to a national title despite stiff competition in the SEC. They determined Kelly would be worth the very high cost.

But how much is Kelly actually making?

Brian Kelly salary: LSU head coach has $95 million guaranteed

The thing about Kelly's contract is it's complicated. According to Steve Berkowitz of USA Today, his base salary is only $400,000. However, that's only the start of things.

Suplemental pay will have Kelly making $8.8 million in 2023 and $9.6 million by 2031 with regular increases every two years.

On top of that, Kelly can increase his pay via incentives and bonuses. He gets $500,000 every time LSU is bowl-eligible. He will receive a $500,000 bonus every July 1 that he remains in the job. His supplemental pay will increase by $250,000 per year the first time he wins the SEC Championship. If he leads LSU to a national title, his pay will increase by $500,000 per year.

The only head coach in college football at a public school making more than Kelly is Nick Saban, who makes close to $10 million.

The big thing about Kelly's contract is that it's mostly guaranteed. Unless he is fired for cause, LSU will owe him at least $95 million over the life of the contract.

A 10-4 showing in Year 1, including a trip to the SEC Championship Game, was encouraging. However, the goal is obviously a national championship, which eluded Kelly at Notre Dame. That's what will determine whether the Tigers judge this deal as worth it or not in the end.

Tags brian kelly lsu tigers college football eppersons