How much money LSU is paying for Will Wade, Lane Kiffin, Brian Kelly, football team, more in 2026

It isn't a college head coaching cycle without the LSU Tigers forking over some big bucks.

No matter the sport, LSU has proven that it's willing to invest in the success of its athletic programs, no matter the cost. The Tigers' athletic department earned a profit in the most recent fiscal year, from July 2024 to June 2025, per The Daily Advertiser, bringing in $3.8 million in total net revenue despite around $219.65 million in total operating expenses.

In other words, LSU spends a ton of money on sports, but it also generates a ton of money from sports. In recent history, the Tigers have proven their willingness to spend on coaches — Thursday's news that Will Wade is set to return to lead LSU's men's basketball program would make him the next big name to sign with the school, joining other significant contracts dished out to Lane Kiffin (football), Kim Mulkey (women's basketball), along with buyouts for coaches like Brian Kelly (football) and Matt McMahon (men's basketball).

Here's a breakdown of how much LSU has reportedly spent on recent coaching contracts and buyouts.

MORE: Why is Will Wade returning to LSU after 2022 firing?

LSU spending 2026

Here's a look at the reported contract details for top LSU coaches, along with recent buyouts.

Lane Kiffin

• Seven years, $91 million

During the past college football coaching cycle, there was no bigger story than Lane Kiffin's potential departure from the Ole Miss Rebels. Despite his team heading for a playoff appearance, Kiffin was flirting with a deal to join the Tigers — and he ultimately accepted it, leaving Ole Miss behind before the CFP began.

Kiffin was given a seven-year, $91 million deal, which also has room for incentives, per The Advocate. At $13 million per year, his contract made him the second-highest-paid coach in college football, trailing only Georgia's Kirby Smart.

Among the incentives in Kiffin's deal, per CBS, is that he would become the highest-paid coach in the country if he brings a national title to LSU. The Tigers also chose to reward Kiffin for his 2025 success at Ole Miss, paying additional money for each Rebels CFP win.

Brian Kelly (buyout)

• $54 million

Before Kiffin landed in Baton Rouge, LSU parted ways with Brian Kelly, who had led the football team since 2022. He was fired during the 2025 season and had a controversial exit, filing a lawsuit over the buyout situation.

Ultimately, however, Kelly is set to receive the entirety of his $54 million buyout as long as he "he fulfills his obligation to find another job," per CBS.

Kelly's buyout became the second-largest in college football history. 

MORE: The 14 most expensive coach buyouts in college football history

Will Wade 

• NC State buyout: $3 million

CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein reported Thursday that the Tigers are set to part ways with their current coach, McMahon, and bring Wade back to Baton Rouge four years after he was fired by the team. For the time being, there aren't any official contract details for Wade at LSU, as it isn't yet official.

However, there are two notable aspects. One: Wade signed a six-year, $17.25 million deal with NC State in 2025, a contract the Tigers are almost certainly looking to one-up. 

Additionally, on April 1, Wade's buyout figure for NC State will drop from $5 million to $3 million, per Jeff Goodman. At minimum, the Tigers are set to pay an additional $3 million to re-unite with their former men's basketball coach.

MORE: Why North Carolina fired Hubert Davis

Matt McMahon (buyout)

• $8 million

With Wade's return, McMahon is set to part ways with LSU's men's basketball program. That, of course, means the Tigers will owe him some money on the way out, just like Kelly.

McMahon has a buyout at LSU of $8 million, per NOLA.com, owning three years left on his contract. Between McMahon's LSU buyout and Wade's NC State buyout, LSU is set to be paying an additional $11 million just to switch men's basketball coaches.

That's also without accounting for paying McMahon's previous staff, Wade's new staff and funding a competitive SEC team.

MORE: Ranking every Sweet 16 team's chances to win the championship

Kim Mulkey

• $32 million

In 2023, LSU signed Mulkey, who had just brought a championship to the school, to a new 10-year contract worth $32 million, per ESPN. At the time, it was the richest total contract in women's college basketball history, paying her around $3.2 million per season.

However, UConn's Geno Auriemma ($3.54 million per year) and South Carolina's Dawn Staley ($4 million per year) have since broken that title.

Jay Johnson

• $23.45 million

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson earned an extension in 2025, which lasts seven years and totals around $23.45 million before bonuses, per NOLA.com.

Starting at $3.05 million per year, Johnson became the highest-paid college baseball coach in the country; the two-time national champion's deal reportedly increases to $3.65 million per year by the end of the term.