Brian Kelly Initiates Legal Action Against LSU Over $54 Million Buyout

Brian Kelly, the former head coach of LSU football, has filed a lawsuit against the university, claiming entitlement to nearly $54 million in buyout funds after he was allegedly dismissed without cause on October 26.

In a contrasting narrative, LSU asserts that Kelly, 64, was not officially terminated and maintains that there are valid grounds for his dismissal. This information comes from a petition for declaratory judgment that surfaced on November 10.

Kelly's legal team is seeking "a declaratory judgment confirming that LSU’s termination of [him] is without cause and that [he] is entitled to receive the full liquidated damages provided for in (his contract).” The stakes are high, as the outcome could determine whether LSU owes him the substantial buyout.

Complicating matters, LSU argues that the then-athletic director, Scott Woodward, lacked the authority to terminate Kelly’s contract or negotiate any terms, suggesting that he was never officially fired without cause.

Following Kelly's departure, LSU dismissed Woodward just four days later. However, the university has not clarified the specific reasons it claims justify firing Kelly for cause. His contract outlines potential grounds for termination, including NCAA violations, felony convictions, or “serious misconduct.”

According to the filing, “Coach Kelly’s representatives informed LSU that Coach Kelly disagreed with each of LSU’s new positions,” which include assertions about his termination status and Woodward's authority during discussions attended by several LSU athletics officials.

Kelly's contract stipulates that if he is terminated without cause, he is entitled to 90 percent of his base salary along with all remaining supplemental compensation. His current contract extends through 2031.

The decision to relieve Kelly of his duties followed a disappointing 49-25 loss to Texas A&M, which left the Tigers with a 5-3 record for the season. Since then, LSU has also suffered a defeat against Alabama under interim head coach Frank Wilson.

During his tenure at LSU, which spanned four seasons, Kelly led the Tigers to three consecutive bowl victories and a spot in the 2022 SEC championship game.

Woodward expressed disappointment at the time of the leadership change, stating, “We had high hopes that [Kelly] would lead us to multiple SEC and national championships during his time in Baton Rouge. Ultimately, the success at the level that LSU demands simply did not materialize.”

In the week following Kelly’s alleged firing, The Athletic reported insights from former players and staff who criticized his commitment to the program. One former player remarked, “You gotta come a different way with your players,” emphasizing the need for genuine connection from a head coach under a significant contract.

Another staff member echoed these sentiments, stating, “The effort just is not there, especially for what this place is and compared to what we’re competing against. We always had to recruit around him.”