Former LSU football coach Brian Kelly has filed a lawsuit against the university, alleging that LSU is attempting to fire him for cause to avoid paying his $54 million buyout. The legal action comes after LSU informed Kelly’s representatives that he was not formally terminated and that grounds for cause exist.
In a petition filed on Monday, November 10, 2025, in the 19th Judicial District for East Baton Rouge Parish, Kelly’s attorneys stated that LSU representatives claimed during a call that Kelly had not been “formally terminated” as head coach. This new position marks a shift from LSU’s initial announcement on October 26, when Kelly was relieved of his duties following a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M. The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment confirming that the termination was without cause, ensuring Kelly receives the full buyout specified in his contract.
According to the filing, obtained by ESPN and The Advocate, LSU’s representatives informed Kelly’s team that the school believes grounds for termination for cause exist, though no specific reasons were provided. This development occurred just hours before the lawsuit was filed, with Kelly’s lawyers asserting that LSU never previously claimed any cause for termination. The call also involved LSU disputing the authority of then-athletic director Scott Woodward, who had overseen Kelly’s firing and made settlement offers.
Kelly, 64, was fired on October 26 after compiling a 34-14 record over nearly four seasons at LSU. At the time, athletic director Scott Woodward stated that the dismissal was due to performance issues, not for cause, and expressed disappointment that the team did not meet championship expectations. The lawsuit emphasizes that LSU publicly and privately confirmed the termination was performance-related until the November 10 call.
The legal document details that LSU attempted to settle with Kelly, offering $25 million and later $30 million, both of which included the removal of mitigation and offset clauses that could reduce the buyout if Kelly finds another coaching job. Kelly rejected these offers, and his representatives set a deadline for LSU to confirm it would pay the full buyout, which passed without agreement. The lawsuit argues that LSU’s new stance is an attempt to avoid financial obligations.
Kelly’s contract with LSU includes a “for-cause” termination clause that allows firing due to NCAA violations, criminal convictions, or serious misconduct constituting moral turpitude. The suit states that LSU never invoked this clause before the termination and that the required seven-day notice and response process was never followed. Kelly’s attorneys maintain that he engaged in no conduct warranting a for-cause dismissal.
The lawsuit also references comments from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who criticized Woodward’s contracts and stated that Woodward would not be involved in hiring the next coach, highlighting concerns over the $54 million liability. Woodward departed LSU on October 30, four days after firing Kelly, amid mounting pressure. Kelly’s filing pushes back on LSU’s claims, including the idea that Woodward lacked authority and that grounds for cause exist.
The legal battle now centers on whether Kelly’s termination was without cause, as initially stated, or if LSU can retroactively justify a for-cause firing. The outcome could have significant financial implications for LSU, potentially saving the university millions but also affecting its reputation. Kelly, who came to LSU from Notre Dame in 2022, is seeking full payment of his buyout, while LSU may face prolonged litigation unless a settlement is reached.
