Brian Kelly VS LSU Lawsuit, Brian Kelly Explosive $54M Buyout Lawsuit Claims He Was Never Legally Fired

Brian Kelly filed a lawsuit against LSU on November 10, 2025, after the university allegedly informed his representatives that he was never “formally terminated” and now seeks to fire him “for cause” to avoid paying his $54 million buyout. The lawsuit, filed in the 19th Judicial District at Baton Rouge, seeks a declaratory judgment confirming Kelly was fired without cause and is entitled to full liquidated damages.

Kelly was initially relieved of duties on October 26, 2025, one day after LSU’s 49-25 loss to Texas A&M, with then-athletic director Scott Woodward saying the termination was performance-related. But weeks later, everything changed.

What Is the Brian Kelly LSU Lawsuit About?

According to the 48-page lawsuit filed hours after a November 10 phone call, LSU representatives told Kelly’s attorneys for the first time that the school believes grounds for termination “for cause” exist, potentially voiding the massive buyout.

Kelly’s contract—a 10-year, $95 million deal—requires LSU to pay 90% of his remaining salary if fired without cause, totaling approximately $54 million in monthly payments through 2031.

The lawsuit exposes three explosive LSU claims:

Kelly was never formally terminated in October
Former athletic director Scott Woodward lacked “the authority to terminate Coach Kelly and/or make settlement offers to him”
Grounds exist to fire Kelly for cause (specific reasons not disclosed in the lawsuit)

Brian Kelly VS LSU Lawsuit, Brian Kelly Explosive $54M Buyout Lawsuit Claims He Was Never Legally Fired

Timeline: From Firing to Federal Court

October 25, 2025: LSU loses 49-25 to Texas A&M at home

October 26, 2025: Kelly meets with Woodward and is terminated; Woodward allegedly states the firing is due to team performance and is “without cause”

October 26, 2025: LSU offers Kelly a lump-sum settlement of $25 million with mitigation language removed; Kelly rejects

October 29, 2025: Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry publicly criticizes Woodward, saying “Scott Woodward is not selecting our next coach” and “we’ve got a $53 million liability. We are not doing that again”

October 30, 2025: Woodward resigns; longtime administrator Verge Ausberry promoted to replace him

Later: LSU executive deputy athletic director Julie Cromer increases settlement offer to $30 million in two payments; Kelly rejects

November 5, 2025: Kelly’s attorneys send letter to new AD Ausberry stating Kelly expects “full liquidated damages” and remains “open to additional offers” but demands written confirmation by 5 p.m. November 10

November 10, 2025: During phone call, LSU representatives inform Kelly’s camp for the first time that Kelly wasn’t formally terminated and that grounds for termination for cause exist

November 10, 2025: Kelly files lawsuit hours after the deadline passes

November 22, 2025: LSU Board of Supervisors authorizes new university president Wade Rousse to send Kelly written notice of termination during Friday meeting

LSU’s “For Cause” Termination Claims

Kelly’s contract includes a “for cause” termination clause allowing firing due to “material and substantial [NCAA] rule violations”; being convicted of a felony or “any crime involving gambling, drugs, or alcohol”; or “engaging in serious misconduct which either displays a continual, serious disrespect for the mission of LSU” or “constitutes moral turpitude”.

The termination clause also lists “unreasonable refusal or repeated failure to perform any duties” and “failing to perform the same to the best of Employee’s reasonable ability” as grounds for cause.

“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,” the lawsuit states. “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”.

The lawsuit doesn’t specify what grounds LSU now claims justify for-cause termination.

Procedural Violations Kelly Alleges

Kelly’s contract states that if fired for cause, LSU must provide written notice and a statement on the grounds for termination, with Kelly then having seven days to respond.

Kelly’s legal team argues LSU’s contract explicitly outlines a strict procedural process for “for cause” termination, including written notice, a seven-day cure period, and opportunities for review, requiring the LSU president to make the final decision.

“LSU did not even attempt to satisfy any of these requirements, nor can they do so retroactively,” the lawsuit claims.

Scott Woodward Authority Question

The suit alleges LSU told Kelly’s representatives that Woodward didn’t have “the authority to terminate Coach Kelly and/or make settlement offers to him”—despite Woodward being athletic director when Kelly was publicly fired and replaced by interim coach Frank Wilson.

“Coach Kelly’s representatives informed LSU that Coach Kelly disagreed with each of LSU’s new positions, including (i) the idea that he somehow had not been terminated, (ii) that the then-Athletics Director Woodward was not acting with authority (in a meeting attended by several LSU athletics officials, including the current Athletics Director Ausberry), and (iii) that there were any grounds for termination with cause,” the lawsuit states.

Financial Stakes: Monthly Payments vs. Lump Sum

Under Kelly’s contract, LSU owes him 90% of his remaining base salary, supplemental pay, and longevity bonuses through December 31, 2031—the contract end date.

Kelly is owed about $53 million, with his contract specifying equal monthly installments of approximately $800,000 per month going forward.

The contract includes a mitigation provision requiring Kelly to seek other coaching opportunities if fired; any salary he earns from a new job would reduce what LSU owes him.

If Kelly wins a national championship at LSU and the school later fires him, the 90% buyout immediately jumps to 100%.

Kelly rejected LSU’s settlement attempts to negotiate a smaller lump-sum payment upfront, which would have saved LSU money long-term by removing mitigation language.

What Legal Experts Say About the Case

Attorney Stephen Sterling, providing legal analysis, said parties in these disputes can seek a declaratory judgment: “It’s a quick remedy versus actually having to go to trial, prepare to go to trial (and) wait months. This is more than an expeditious remedy to help everyone out”.

Legal analysis from Sportico notes Kelly is owed certain procedural rights by virtue of his employment contract and LSU employee policies, including a seven-day cure period to remedy allegations leading to for-cause firing and the right to respond in writing or present documents to the athletic director.

“He wants the judge to come in. Look at the contract, look at the evidence, and tell LSU, ‘You are wrong,'” Sterling said, predicting the case will be lengthy: “I think they’re going to fight and drag it out and try to make it hard for Brian Kelly. They don’t want to make it easy”.

Mike Florio of NBC Sports wrote: “Say what you will about Kelly (and few have good things to say about him), he seems to be in the right on this one. LSU is trying to reduce its obligation to Kelly, hopeful he’ll take a much lower amount. But why should he? Absent hard evidence to support a ‘for cause’ firing, any effort to fire him for ’cause’ would simply be a pretext for not paying Kelly what he’s owed”.

Brian Kelly’s LSU Record

Kelly was hired after the 2021 season on a 10-year contract worth about $100 million. He went 34-14 with LSU, including three bowl victories, but the Tigers did not reach the College Football Playoff during Kelly’s tenure.

Kelly was 64 years old when fired and was in his fourth season, with LSU sitting at 5-3 after the Texas A&M loss.

Implications for College Coaching Searches

The lawsuit creates chaos for LSU’s coaching search and could serve as a red flag for potential candidates, with the messy divorce turning “one of the most coveted jobs in the country into one where other coaches will wonder what headaches could lie ahead for them”.

The next LSU coach may insist on contract language with extra protection against such tactics—perhaps with penalties if LSU tries similar maneuvers again.

LSU has focused on Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin in their search for Kelly’s replacement.

Similar College Coaching Contract Disputes

Kelly’s case joins a growing list of expensive coaching buyout battles.

Through Week 9 of the 2025 season, schools owe their former coaches nearly $170 million in buyouts, with 13 coaches across Power Four conferences pocketing at least $50 million if fired.

Governor Landry also blamed Woodward for the $77 million given to Jimbo Fisher when Texas A&M let him go in November 2023—nearly triple the highest-known coaching contract buyout at a public school at the time.

According to ESPN, approximately $146 million has been owed to fired head football coaches at Power 5 schools since the start of the 2022 season.

Similar disputes have involved coaches using NCAA violation allegations to challenge buyouts, with universities sometimes claiming even minor infractions void multi-million-dollar payouts.

Current Status and Next Steps

On November 22, 2025, the LSU Board of Supervisors authorized President Wade Rousse “in consultation with general counsel to review and, if appropriate, send Brian Kelly written notice of termination under his employment agreement” during a 26-minute private executive session.

The LSU board handed the lawsuit over to the Louisiana Attorney General. A spokesman for Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Office stated: “The lawsuit is being reviewed by the Attorney General and LSU. We have no further comment on pending litigation”.

The case awaits judicial proceedings in the 19th Judicial District Court in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.

Legal experts predict this dispute will almost certainly end in a financial settlement with confidentiality provisions barring Kelly and LSU officials from discussing the matter publicly, as both sides eventually want to move on despite fighting in court to change how much money is paid or received.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Brian Kelly LSU lawsuit about?

Brian Kelly sued LSU on November 10, 2025, after the university allegedly told his representatives he was never formally terminated and now seeks to fire him “for cause” to avoid paying his $54 million buyout. Kelly’s lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment that he was fired without cause and is entitled to full liquidated damages under his contract.

Who filed the Brian Kelly LSU lawsuit?

Brian Kelly and Brian Kelly Football LLC filed the lawsuit against the LSU Board of Supervisors in the 19th Judicial District Court in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.

What are the specific allegations in the lawsuit?

The lawsuit alleges LSU: (1) claims Kelly was never formally terminated despite publicly firing him on October 26, (2) now asserts grounds for “for cause” termination exist (specific grounds not disclosed), (3) claims former AD Scott Woodward lacked authority to fire Kelly or make settlement offers, and (4) repeatedly confirmed the firing was due to team performance, not for cause, until November 10.

What is the current status of the Brian Kelly lawsuit?

On November 22, 2025, the LSU Board of Supervisors authorized President Wade Rousse to formally send Kelly written notice of termination. The Louisiana Attorney General is reviewing the lawsuit. The case is pending in the 19th Judicial District Court.

How much money is involved in the Brian Kelly lawsuit?

Kelly’s contract requires LSU to pay approximately $54 million in monthly installments of about $800,000 through 2031 if fired without cause. Kelly rejected settlement offers of $25 million and $30 million. If fired for cause, LSU would owe him nothing.

What are the potential outcomes of the lawsuit?

Possible outcomes include: (1) court rules Kelly was fired without cause and awards full $54 million buyout, (2) court rules LSU has grounds for for-cause termination and Kelly receives nothing, (3) parties reach confidential settlement for an amount between the extremes, or (4) prolonged litigation testing contractual interpretations and procedural requirements.

What contract terms are disputed in the Brian Kelly case?

Disputed terms include whether Kelly was “formally terminated,” whether Scott Woodward had authority to fire him, whether LSU followed required procedures for for-cause termination (written notice, seven-day cure period, statement of grounds), and whether grounds for for-cause firing actually exist under the contract’s specific provisions.

Disclaimer: This article provides factual information about the Brian Kelly LSU lawsuit based on publicly available court documents and news reports. It is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Case details are based on allegations and court filings, which may not represent final determinations. For legal advice regarding your specific situation, please consult with a qualified attorney.

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Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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