Why LSU Might Not Fire Matt McMahon (Even If They Should)

LSU’s embarrassing loss to Mississippi State dropped the Tigers to 1–7 in SEC play, and the conversation around the future of Matt McMahon is reaching a boiling point.

Four seasons in, LSU is on track for another year without an NCAA Tournament appearance, and even LSU Athletic Director Verge Ausberry has acknowledged that everything will be evaluated if the Tigers miss the postseason. On paper, the results suggest a coaching change may be warranted.

But the reality is far more complicated.

Firing McMahon and his staff would cost around $10 million, and that’s before hiring a new coach, assembling a staff, and rebuilding a roster from scratch. All of this comes while LSU has already committed unprecedented resources elsewhere — including a $54 million Brian Kelly buyout, a $91 million contract for Lane Kiffin, expanded football budgets, and funding what could be the most expensive college football roster ever at more than $40 million for 2026.

So the real question isn’t just should LSU make a change — it’s can they? And is there real donor appetite for another massive financial move?

We break down the financial reality, the political dynamics, and why one thing is certain: Will Wade is not coming back to LSU.

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