LSU fired coach Brian Kelly, athletic director Scott Woodward announced Sunday night, minutes after the players were informed of the decision during a team meeting.
Talks regarding the terms of his departure are continuing, the school said in a statement. Kelly is owed just more than $54 million in buyout money.
Kelly left the office early Sunday afternoon and did not return, sources told ESPN. The Tigers are on a bye week, so attendance of some staff was optional.
"We had high hopes that he would lead us to multiple SEC and national championships during his time in Baton Rouge," Woodward said in the announcement, which came a day after the Tigers' 49-25 loss to Texas A&M.