Brian Kelly files lawsuit against LSU alleging school wants to fire him for cause: Reports

Brian Kelly was let go as LSU’s coach eight games into the season, the day after a blowout loss at home to Texas A&M. Stephen Lew / Imagn Images

Brian Kelly has filed a lawsuit against LSU, asking a Louisiana court to confirm the school fired him without cause, and that he is owed the full remaining value of his contract, according to the suit obtained Monday by ESPN.

According to ESPN, the filing says that LSU’s representatives informed Kelly’s representatives on a call on Monday that the former coach had not been formally terminated when the school announced a coaching change on Oct. 26, and that grounds for termination with cause existed. If LSU were to have terminated Kelly with cause, it would not have to pay his full buyout of about $53 million. ESPN reported that the lawsuit does not detail why LSU officials would have reason to justify firing Kelly for cause.

An LSU spokesman said the university had no comment.

Kelly was let go eight games into the season, the day after a blowout loss at home to Texas A&M. The 64-year-old was hired away from Notre Dame after the 2021 regular season and given a 10-year contract by LSU. He was 34-14 in three-plus seasons in Baton Rouge.

The buyout for Kelly would be the second-largest in college sports, behind the $77 million Texas A&M paid to Jimbo Fisher after he was fired in 2023. LSU’s payout to Kelly would decrease if he gets another coaching job, according to his contract.

The Advocate of Baton Rouge, La., reported last week that Kelly’s attorneys previously stated in a Nov. 5 letter to the school that he would “pursue all available legal remedies” if LSU did not provide written confirmation that it would “fulfill its contractual obligation” by Monday.

The filing also says that LSU’s Board of Supervisors informed Kelly’s representatives that former Tigers athletic director Scott Woodward did not have the authority to terminate Kelly or make settlement offers to the coach.

Woodward and the school agreed to part ways four days after the coaching change was announced and amid criticism of the athletic department from Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry.

The board elevated longtime LSU administrator and former Tigers football player Verge Ausberry to interim athletic director. Days later, new LSU President Wade Rousse removed Ausberry’s interim tag.

Nov 11, 2025

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