Brian Kelly has taken legal action against LSU, claiming he was fired without cause and is owed the remaining value of his contract. A lawsuit obtained by The Athletic details that, during a call on October 26, LSU officials told Kelly’s representatives that he had not been formally terminated when the coaching change was announced. They mentioned that there were grounds for termination with cause. If true, this could mean LSU wouldn’t have to pay his substantial buyout, roughly $53 million.
The lawsuit doesn’t explain why LSU might justify firing Kelly for cause. On that October day, Kelly met with athletic director Scott Woodward and others, and was informed he’d been let go without cause. After the meeting, he expressed willingness to discuss a buyout. Kelly’s firing was later announced, citing on-field performance as the reason.
Initially, LSU proposed a lump-sum payment of $25 million, which would allow Kelly to take another job without reducing his payout. They later increased this offer to $30 million over two payments. These types of arrangements can help a coach financially, enabling him to pursue other opportunities without the burden of a previous contract affecting future earnings. For reference, Les Miles accepted a smaller lump sum when he was fired by LSU in 2018.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t until Monday that LSU officials informed Kelly’s camp that he hadn’t been formally terminated and claimed there were grounds for cause. Just days later, Woodward parted ways with the school amid concerns over the athletic department’s performance, which even drew attention from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry.
Interestingly, if LSU fires Kelly for cause, they must notify him in writing and give him seven days to address the situation before making it official. Kelly was let go after eight games this season, right after a crushing loss to Texas A&M. He was hired from Notre Dame after the 2021 season, signing a 10-year contract, and had a record of 34 wins and 14 losses at LSU.
If he receives his buyout, it would be one of the largest in college sports history, second only to the $77 million Texas A&M paid Jimbo Fisher in 2023. Kelly’s buyout clause stipulates that he must actively seek another coaching job to continue receiving payments from LSU.
On November 5, Kelly asked LSU to confirm electronically that they intended to fulfill their contractual obligations regarding the buyout, while still remaining open to potential settlement discussions.
After Woodward’s departure, LSU appointed Verge Ausberry as the interim athletic director. Shortly after that, new LSU President Wade Rousse removed the interim label from Ausberry.
This legal battle highlights the intense stakes involved in college sports today, where coaching contracts have become increasingly complex and lucrative. Schools often face scrutiny over how they handle such situations, making the dynamics between coaches and athletic departments more critical than ever.
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