Know Brian Kelly salary and contract at LSU
TSG delves deeply into the LSU contract with Brian Kelly.
Brian Kelly salary and contract at LSU and net worth 2023
Overview of contracts
- Signed: April 6, 2022
- Term: Through 2031 season
- Base Salary: $400,000
Supplemental Compensation
- 2022: $8,600,000
- 2023: $8,800,000
- 2024: $8,800,000
- 2025: $9,000,000
- 2026: $9,000,000
- 2027: $9,200,000
- 2028: $9,200,000
- 2029: $9,400,000
- 2030: $9,400,000
- 2031: $9,600,000
In July, Kelly also received a $500,000 longevity incentive from the institution, increasing his total compensation for 2022—before any on-field bonuses—to $9,500,000. Again without bonuses, Kelly’s contract currently has a total value of an even $100,000,000.
The remaining extra compensation levels under Kelly’s contract will climb by a total of $250,000 apiece once he wins the first SEC title. Every sum will grow by $500,000 if LSU wins the national championship, even if a $250,000 increase has already been added.
As a result, if LSU prevails and wins the national championship along the way, his contract’s remaining value would increase from $90,500,000 to $97,250,000. His current net worth is at $30 million.
Salary comparison
Here is a comparison of Kelly’s current salary to those of other coaches whose contracts TSG has examined thus far this season for context purposes:
- Nick Saban: $10,700,000
- Kirby Smart: $10,250,000
- Brian Kelly: $9,500,000
- Mel Tucker: $9,500,000
- Jimbo Fisher: $9,000,000
- Jim Harbaugh: $7,050,000
- Kirk Ferentz: $7,000,000
- Bryan Harsin*: $5,100,000
- Karl Dorrell*: $3,600,000
- Mike Norvell: $3,250,000
*Coach was later dismissed
Details of Brian Kelly’s Buyout
Simply put, should the university terminate Kelly without reason, LSU will be responsible for paying him 90% of the remaining terms of his contract in basic salary, supplemental compensation, and longevity compensation, payable in monthly installments for the remainder of the term. There’s a catch, though. That 90% instantly increases to 100% if LSU wins a national championship at any point during Kelly’s career and he is still removed at some point following.
Additionally, Kelly’s contract contains a provision that would lower the buyout if he were to secure another coaching position. Kelly’s compensation at his new job would be subtracted from the amount LSU owes him, as is typical for such agreements. On the other side, Kelly would owe LSU a buyout on the following timetable if he left for another position.
Possible Bonuses
Postseason rewards, coaching recognition incentives, and academic incentives make up the three areas of Kelly’s incentive compensation plan.
Postseason Rewards
- The choice is between receiving $75,000 for taking part in the SEC championship game and $150,000 for winning it.
- $100,000 for making it to a New Years Six Bowl AND $500,000 for making LSU bowl-eligible OR $200,000 for making it to the College Football Playoff OR $300,000 for making it to the National Championship game OR $500,000 for taking home the trophy.
- If the College Football Playoff is expanded while Kelly is in charge, LSU and Kelly will agree to extra incentives.
Coaching Recognition
- Receiving $50,000 for being named SEC Coach of the Year
- Academic Incentives for Winning National Coach of the Year: $75,000
- If the team earns an APR of 930 or higher or 970 or higher, they will receive $50,000 instead of $25,000 each.
Academic Rewards
- $25,000 if the team achieves an APR of 930 or above
- $50,000 if the group achieves an APR of 970 or above.
Special Benefits & Allowances
Kelly is eligible for the following benefits while attending LSU in addition to his salary and bonuses:
- A monthly car allowance of no more than $1,000 for each of the two autos.
- A yearly payment of $275,000 can be spent on private flights
- Complimentary membership to a country club