Just when the saga between Brian Kelly and Louisiana State University appeared to be over, a new legal battle has erupted over a staggering $54 million buyout. The former LSU coach was fired two weeks ago after a blowout loss to the Texas A&M Aggies in Death Valley, a move that initially seemed to leave the Tigers with a massive debt owed to Kelly.
Why Is LSU Now Trying to Fire Brian Kelly for Cause?
While Kelly had already released a statement wishing the program well, the situation took a dramatic turn on Monday. Representatives for LSU informed Kelly’s lawyers that the university had not formally terminated him and was now seeking to fire him for cause. If LSU had cause to fire Kelly, then the institution would not owe their former coach the full buyout due to him, as per the terms of his contract. This move is a clear attempt to avoid the massive financial penalty.
The news quickly went viral, leading renowned lawyer Tom Mars to weigh in on X.
“LSU is cooked. Louisiana law may be unique, but it doesn’t recognize LSU’s stupidity in making a $54 million deal with Brian Kelly as a legal justification to stiff him,” Mars tweeted.
LSU is cooked. Louisiana law may be unique, but it doesn’t recognize LSU’s stupidity in making a $54 million deal with Brian Kelly as a legal justification to stiff him. https://t.co/YMyeDoZ2OV
— Tom Mars (@TomMarsLaw) November 11, 2025
In response, Kelly’s representatives filed a suit at the 19th Judicial District for the Parish of East Baton Rouge against the Tigers. The suit seeks a declaratory judgment, which would legally confirm his termination was without cause and entitle him to full compensation. In the filing, Kelly’s lawyers argued that the program should have informed their client of any cause for termination within seven days and that Kelly would have had another seven days to respond to the allegations.
How Are Kelly’s Representatives Pushing Back?
LSU’s argument hinges on the claim that former athletic director Scott Woodward had no authority to terminate Kelly or offer him any kind of settlement. This is a curious defense, as Woodward was fired just four days after letting Kelly go, with executive deputy athletic director, Verge Ausberry, taking over as the interim A.D. The suit filed by Kelly’s team directly pushes back against all assertions that would prevent their client from receiving his full buyout.
“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 reads. “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.”
This statement highlights a key contradiction in the university’s position. Furthermore, the termination clause in Brian Kelly’s contract is specific. It outlines that termination ‘for cause’ would require issues like a felony conviction, NCAA rule violations, or serious misconduct, none of which have been publicly alleged against the former coach.