Former LSU head coach Brian Kelly has filed a lawsuit against the university as he seeks nearly $54 million remaining on his contract.
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LSU relieved Kelly of his duties on Oct. 26, one day after a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M. According to the lawsuit, representatives for the university said to Kelly's representatives that he was not formally terminated on Oct. 26. These representatives, according to the lawsuit, said that grounds for termination "with cause" existed.
If LSU chose to fire Kelly for cause, the university would have to inform him in writing and provide a seven-day period for him to respond.
"LSU has never claimed that Coach Kelly was terminated for cause and, prior to November 10, 2025, never asserted that he engaged in any conduct that would warrant such a termination," the lawsuit states, per ESPN.
"To the contrary, LSU repeatedly confirmed, both publicly and to Coach Kelly, that the termination was due to the Team's performance, not for cause."
This "with cause" phrasing is key considering that LSU would not have to pay his buyout price, which is nearly $54 million. When the university announced the firing on Oct. 26, it listed on-field performance as the reason.
Kelly had posted a 34-14 record at LSU in just over three seasons with a 3-0 record in Bowl Games.
"When Coach Kelly arrived at LSU four years ago, we had high hopes that he would lead us to multiple SEC and national championships during his time in Baton Rouge," former Athletic Director Scott Woodward said in a statement on Oct. 26. "Ultimately, the success at the level that LSU demands simply did not materialize."
According to The Athletic, the lawsuit says that Kelly expressed to Woodward that he would be open to a contract buyout settlement. The suit adds that LSU first offered a $25 million payment with no offset. This number changed to $30 million spread between two payments with no offset.
Kelly's buyout provision included language stating that he must exercise due diligence and seek employment to keep receiving the buyout. However, the buyout amount would have decreased if he landed another coaching job. The "no offset" eliminated this reduced buyout.
Kelly declined both settlement offers. Additionally, the lawsuit states that LSU representatives told Kelly's representatives that Woodward did not have the ability to make this coaching change or to offer a settlement.
An LSU spokesperson told multiple outlets that it did not have any comment about this lawsuit.
