US EditionFired Coach Brian Kelly Lawsuit Alleges LSU Is Declining to Honor the Terms of His Contract
Brian Kelly disputes LSU's attempt to classify his firing as 'for cause' to reduce a $54 million buyout, claiming his termination was performance-based, according to a recent lawsuit.
- On Monday, November 11, 2025, Brian Kelly's lawyers filed a lawsuit in the 19th Judicial District, alleging LSU told his representatives it never `formally terminated` him and cited `for cause` grounds.
- Kelly was dismissed following a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M on Oct. 26, and LSU told his representatives the termination was performance-related; Kelly rejected $25,000,000 and $30,000,000 settlement offers.
- The lawsuit details the `for cause` process at length and says LSU must notify Kelly of any grounds within seven days, giving him seven days to respond, while disputing three points LSU raised including Woodward's authority.
- Kelly is asking the court for a declaratory judgment that the firing lacked cause and that he is entitled to the full $54,000,000 liquidated damages under his contract.
- LSU declined comment as the case drew public attention and fans and social media reaction grew after Dan Wetzel's reporting; Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry criticized Scott Woodward, who left under pressure four days after firing Kelly, creating a $53,000,000 liability.
64 Articles
64 Articles
Brian Kelly sues LSU, claims the school is trying to avoid $54M buyout by firing him ‘for cause’
Former LSU head coach Brian Kelly has filed a lawsuit against the university, accusing it of attempting to avoid paying his full $54 million buyout by retroactively claiming his firing was “for cause.” The legal battle marks an increasingly bitter dispute between the school and the coach it dismissed less than three weeks ago. The dispute between Kelly and LSU has left its athletic department in turmoil, raising questions about leadership stabil…
Former LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly Sues School Over $54 Million Buyout
Former LSU football coach Brian Kelly is suing the university for the nearly $54 million buyout he believes he is entitled to after the school allegedly fired him without cause on October 26. The university claims Kelly, 64, was not formally terminated, and that it has cause to fire him, according to a petition for declaratory judgment, obtained by ESPN on Tuesday, November 10. If that is the case, the university would not owe Kelly the aforemen…
thepress.net
Brian Kelly sues LSU, alleging university now seeks to fire him 'for cause,' preventing full buyout
BATON ROUGE, La. - Former LSU head coach Brian Kelly is suing the university, alleging that the university and its board of supervisors are now seeking to fire him "for cause," preventing the four-year coach from being paid his contract's…
5 things you should know about Brian Kelly's lawsuit against LSU over buyout dispute
Former LSU football coach Brian Kelly filed a lawsuit Monday against LSU in an attempt to confirm that the school fired him without cause and establish that he is entitled to his contractual buyout of nearly $54 million.
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