BATON ROUGE, LA – LSU Athletics has reclassified Brian Kelly’s 2025 5-3 record as “actually pretty good” after Saturday’s 22–21 loss to Texas dropped the Tigers to 6-4.
The updated assessment appeared in a donor presentation between a slide about Lane Kiffin’s $91 million contract and an envelope for anybody who wanted to help him get a quarterback.
“Last year, we said 5–3 wasn’t up to LSU standards,” the official told donors. “I’m pleased to report we’ve adjusted the standards at no additional cost.”
The department said Kelly’s $54 million buyout would remain in effect, even though the record that prompted it had been upgraded. Officials also assured donors that Kiffin’s contract was built around sustained success and would continue to be paid on schedule.
Before the meeting ended, a donor pointed out that LSU was still ahead with four seconds left. The presenter said that LSU Athletics planned on using that line in next year’s advertisement for season tickets.
