LSU and Brian Kelly made their partnership official with a 10-year deal worth $95 million plus incentives, the Tigers announced Tuesday.
The former Notre Dame coach will be introduced at a press conference at noon local time Wednesday.
“I could not be more excited to join a program with the commitment to excellence, rich traditions, and unrivaled pride and passion of LSU Football,” Kelly said in a release. “I am fully committed to recruiting, developing, and graduating elite student-athletes, winning championships, and working together with our administration to make Louisiana proud. Our potential is unlimited, and I cannot wait to call Baton Rouge home.”
Kelly, 60, became the winningest coach in Notre Dame history earlier this season, passing Knute Rockne, and won 113 of 153 games in 12 years at Notre Dame after previously coaching Central Michigan and Cincinnati. He took the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff twice.
Kelly’s official record at Notre Dame is 92-39 due to wins vacated because of NCAA sanctions. He went 19-16 at Central Michigan and 34-6 at Cincinnati.
“Brian Kelly is the epitome of a winner,” LSU director of athletics Scott Woodward said in the release. “He has built and sustained success at every program he’s led, from multiple undefeated regular seasons and National Coach of the Year honors to national titles and College Football Playoff berths. His credentials and consistency speak for themselves.”
Kelly replaces Ed Orgeron, who led LSU to a national title two years ago. LSU and Orgeron agreed in October that they would part ways after the season. The Tigers finished the regular season 6-6, including an upset of then-No. 15 Texas A&M, to become bowl-eligible.
–Field Level Media