Brian Kelly, the former head coach of the LSU Tigers football team, has filed a lawsuit against Louisiana State University (LSU), alleging that the school is attempting to evade its obligation to pay him a $54 million buyout. This legal action comes amid claims by Kelly’s representatives that LSU has not officially terminated his contract but is trying to classify his dismissal as a “for cause” termination to avoid the substantial financial payout.
Kelly’s tenure at LSU came to an end following the team’s loss to Texas A&M on October 25, 2025, a game that concluded with a 49-25 defeat. Since then, running backs coach Frank Wilson has been appointed as the interim head coach, as indicated on LSU’s official website. Despite this, the lawsuit reveals that Kelly’s attorneys were informed by LSU only recently—on a Monday prior to the lawsuit—that the university is seeking to fire Kelly “for cause.” This designation would significantly affect Kelly’s entitlement to the buyout clause in his contract.
According to the details of the lawsuit, LSU’s representatives had a phone conversation with Kelly’s legal team during which LSU stated that Kelly had not been formally terminated. For the first time, the university asserted that it believed there were grounds to terminate Kelly “for cause.” Prior to this, LSU had not made any such claims. The lawsuit highlights that before November 10, 2025, LSU never accused Kelly of any misconduct or actions that would justify a termination for cause. Instead, both publicly and privately, LSU had consistently maintained that Kelly’s dismissal was related to the team’s performance rather than any cause linked to his conduct.
The controversy over Kelly’s termination began when LSU’s then-athletic director, Scott Woodward, formally announced the coach’s departure. Woodward cited the team’s lack of success as the primary reason, stating, “We had high hopes that he 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, and I made the decision to make a change after last night’s game.” Woodward’s statement framed the firing as a performance-based decision, which contrasts sharply with the university’s later claim of termination for cause.
Since Woodward’s departure, the situation has become even more complicated. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry publicly declared that he would not permit Woodward to hire the next LSU football coach, instead suggesting that former President Donald Trump should make the decision. Additionally, the lawsuit asserts that Kelly was never officially fired because Woodward lacked the authority to terminate him or negotiate any settlement on behalf of LSU. This raises questions about the legitimacy of the termination process and the university’s handling of the situation.
The dispute over Kelly’s buyout comes against a backdrop of other contentious coaching decisions at LSU. Governor Landry criticized Woodward for the $77 million contract given to former coach Jimbo Fisher, whom Woodward hired and whose contract negotiations he managed before Fisher was released by Texas A&M. These remarks suggest ongoing political and administrative turmoil within LSU’s athletic department.
Following Kelly’s firing, LSU’s football team has faced challenges on the field. In their first game under interim head coach Frank Wilson, the Tigers suffered a 20-9 defeat against the No. 4 ranked Alabama. LSU’s remaining games for the season include matchups against Arkansas, Western Kentucky, and Oklahoma, adding pressure to the interim coaching staff to stabilize the team’s performance.
Kelly’s coaching career spans several decades and multiple programs. With a lifetime coaching record of 297 wins, 109 losses, and 2 ties, his success dates back to his time at Division II school Grand Valley State, where he coached from 1991 to 2003. He then advanced to prominent roles at Central Michigan, Cincinnati, and notably Notre Dame, where he spent 12 seasons before taking the head coaching position at LSU. His tenure at LSU was marked by high expectations that ultimately went unmet, leading to his dismissal and the current legal dispute.
The lawsuit filed by Brian Kelly against LSU highlights the complexities and conflicts that can arise in high-stakes college football coaching contracts. It underscores the challenges universities face in navigating contract buyouts and termination clauses, especially when performance expectations are not met. As this legal battle unfolds, it also sheds light on the broader administrative and political dynamics influencing LSU’s football program.
For now, LSU’s athletic department has not issued a public statement regarding the lawsuit. Current athletic