LSU faces lawsuit from Brian Kelly after bold claim that could save Tigers millions is revealed
Former LSU head coach Brian Kelly has taken legal action against the university, filing a lawsuit late Monday night that challenges the school’s handling of his termination and the $54 million buyout tied to his contract. Kelly was dismissed two weeks ago following LSU’s lopsided 49-25 loss to Texas A&M, a defeat that dropped the […]
Former LSU head coach Brian Kelly has taken legal action against the university, filing a lawsuit late Monday night that challenges the school’s handling of his termination and the $54 million buyout tied to his contract.
Kelly was dismissed two weeks ago following LSU’s lopsided 49-25 loss to Texas A&M, a defeat that dropped the Tigers to 5-3 and effectively ended their hopes of competing for an SEC title. According to documents obtained by ESPN, the lawsuit stems from a breakdown in negotiations between Kelly and LSU over the buyout terms. The filing claims LSU is now attempting to classify his firing as “for cause,” a move that would allow the school to avoid paying the full amount owed.
The suit alleges that LSU representatives informed Kelly’s legal team during a recent call that he had not been “formally terminated” and, for the first time, suggested that grounds for a “for cause” dismissal existed.
Kelly’s attorneys are seeking a declaratory judgment affirming that his termination was without cause and that he is entitled to the full liquidated damages outlined in his contract.
Brian Kelly’s lawyers address ‘for cause’ firing from LSU
Adding another twist, Kelly’s lawyers argue that former athletic director Scott Woodward lacked the authority to fire him or negotiate a settlement. The lawsuit states: “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. 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.”
Woodward himself was ousted just days after Kelly’s dismissal, and the controversy has spilled into LSU’s ongoing coaching search. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has publicly criticized the school’s handling of the situation, saying, “Right now, we’ve got a $53 million liability. We are not doing that again,” remarks that are cited in the lawsuit.
Kelly’s contract included a “for-cause” clause that allowed termination for serious infractions such as major NCAA violations, felony convictions, crimes involving gambling or substance abuse, or conduct deemed to show “serious disrespect” for LSU’s mission or constituting moral turpitude.
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Brian Kelly’s LSU Tenure: A Mixed Legacy
Kelly arrived in Baton Rouge in December 2021 with sky-high expectations after a successful 12-year run at Notre Dame. LSU handed him a 10-year, $95 million deal, hoping he would restore the program to national prominence. Over four seasons, Kelly posted a 34-14 overall record, including a 19-10 mark in SEC play.
His debut season in 2022 was promising: LSU went 10-4, won the SEC West, and earned a Citrus Bowl victory. The Tigers followed that with a 10-3 campaign in 2023, capped by a ReliaQuest Bowl win. In 2024, LSU slipped slightly to 9-4 but still closed strong with a Texas Bowl triumph.
However, 2025 proved to be Kelly’s undoing. The team stumbled to a 5-3 start, highlighted by the crushing loss to Texas A&M, which ultimately sealed his fate.
Despite respectable records, Kelly never delivered an SEC championship or a College Football Playoff berth—benchmarks that LSU fans and boosters consider non-negotiable. His tenure did produce notable individual success stories, including a Heisman Trophy winner and multiple NFL draft picks, but the program’s inability to reach elite status left many questioning whether the massive financial gamble on Kelly was worth it.
