Brian Kelly, the former head coach of Louisiana State University (LSU) football, has launched a lawsuit seeking a declaratory judgment that his departure was “without cause” and thus entitles him to the full reported $54 million buy-out of his contract. The filing alleges that LSU officials informed Kelly’s representatives, for the first time during a phone call, that the university believed grounds existed to fire him for cause—despite telling him previously that his termination was due solely to performance. The shift in stance is at the heart of the dispute, as a finding of “for cause” would allow LSU to avoid paying the full amount rather than treating the termination as simply performance-based.
According to the complaint, Kelly was informed on the same day his team lost 49-25 to Texas A&M Aggies and subsequently announced as relieved of his duties, but the university later told him that the then-athletic director did not have proper authority to fire him or negotiate a settlement. Kelly’s legal team argues this retroactive attempt to invoke “cause” contradicts his contract, which defines such grounds to include major NCAA violations, criminal conviction, or serious misconduct—none of which have been alleged.
The lawsuit places LSU’s Board of Supervisors in the cross-hairs, and raises serious questions about the financial exposure of the athletics department and how multimillion-dollar coaching contracts are structured in collegiate sports. In addition to demanding the full buy-out, Kelly seeks clarity and enforcement of the agreement he signed, while the university’s claim of improper procedure and authority seeks to undercut his entitlement.
With both sides now entrenched, the case threatens to unfold into a protracted legal battle whose outcome could resonate far beyond Baton Rouge. Coaching contracts, buy-out provisions, and university governance are all brought into sharp focus. Meanwhile, Kelly’s career legacy at LSU—34-14, three bowl victories, yet no playoff berth—will be viewed through the prism of what appears to be a lawsuit with major financial and institutional stakes.
