Brian Kelly, the former head football coach of LSU, has filed a lawsuit against the university, accusing it of trying to void its $54 million buyout by retroactively attempting to fire him for cause. The suit claims that LSU has failed to formally terminate Kelly and is now seeking to void the buyout by asserting grounds for termination for cause, which contradicts previous statements that the firing was performance-related. Kelly’s representatives were informed by LSU that he had not been officially terminated, leading to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges that LSU’s representatives notified Kelly’s team that the university now believes that grounds for termination for cause existed, despite previously stating that the firing was due to the team’s performance, not for cause. According to the suit, LSU has never claimed that Kelly was terminated for cause and that prior to November 10, 2025, never asserted that he engaged in any conduct that would warrant such a termination. The school has repeatedly claimed the termination was performance-based.
When formally announcing Kelly’s departure, then-athletic director Scott Woodward stated that the decision was due to the team’s performance not meeting the level that LSU demands. However, the lawsuit claims that Kelly’s representatives were told that LSU did not have the authority to terminate him and make settlement offers. This adds a new layer of complexity to the termination process and raises questions about the legality of the school’s actions.
The lawsuit also points to the ongoing tension between LSU and former athletic director Scott Woodward, who has since left his post after Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry claimed he would rather have President Donald Trump make the hiring decision. Landry also criticized Woodward for the $77 million given to Jimbo Fisher, whom Woodward hired and whose contract negotiations he oversaw, when Fisher was let go by Texas A&M.
In the aftermath of Kelly’s firing, LSU faced its first game without him, losing to Alabama 20-9, and will wrap up the season against Arkansas, Western Kentucky, and Oklahoma. Kelly has a lifetime coaching record of 297-109-2, with stints at Grand Valley State, Notre Dame, Central Michigan, and Cincinnati before joining LSU.
The circumstances of Kelly’s departure have sparked discussions about the dynamics of university leadership and financial obligations in collegiate sports, especially with multiple top college coaching opportunities opening up in the current season. This case highlights the complexities and legal intricacies involved in these high-profile athletic situations.