LSU has dismissed head football coach Brian Kelly, ending his tenure in Baton Rouge after nearly four seasons.

The decision comes one day after a lopsided home loss to Texas A&M that dropped the Tigers to 5-3 on the season and intensified public pressure on the program. Kelly leaves LSU with a 34-14 record but without delivering the championship expectations that followed his high-profile hiring.

Multiple sources confirmed the firing Sunday and longtime assistant Frank Wilson, a New Orleans native,  has been named interim head coach while a national search begins.

Kelly’s exit is expected to carry a costly price tag. The buyout owed to the former head coach is estimated at more than $50 million, making the move one of the most expensive coaching separations in college football history.

LSU officials said the decision reflects the program’s commitment to returning to national contention.

“LSU Football has a championship standard. We will always make decisions with that standard in mind,” the university said in a brief statement.

The change also arrives at a critical moment in recruiting, with the early signing period approaching and high school prospects watching LSU’s next steps closely.

The Tigers will play the remainder of the season under interim leadership while university officials begin contacting candidates to lead the program moving forward. A formal timeline for the hiring process has not been announced.