**Brian Kelly Sues LSU After Dispute Over Contract Termination and Buyout**
Former LSU football coach Brian Kelly has officially filed a lawsuit against LSU’s Board of Supervisors, according to a report from ESPN’s Dan Wetzel. The suit alleges that LSU is attempting to fire Kelly for cause in order to avoid paying the full $54 million buyout owed under the terms of Kelly’s contract.
Earlier this week, it was reported that LSU made two settlement offers to Kelly. The first offer was $25 million, followed by a second increased offer of $30 million. Both offers were proposed as lump-sum payments, which would have eliminated the duty to mitigate clause and offset language included in Kelly’s contract.
Kelly’s representatives set a deadline for LSU to signal their intent to pay the buyout by Monday. However, ESPN reports that the lawsuit alleges LSU claimed Kelly “had not been formally terminated” and communicated to Kelly that the university “believed grounds for termination for cause existed.”
A central point of contention in the dispute revolves around former LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward. Woodward separated from LSU a few days after firing Kelly, and LSU now claims that Woodward did not have the authority to fire Kelly or make settlement offers. Kelly’s suit disputes this claim, maintaining that Woodward acted with full authority and rejecting the notion that Kelly was not “formally terminated.”
The split between Kelly and LSU occurred on October 26, the day after LSU’s 49-25 loss to Texas A&M dropped the team’s record to 5-3. LSU entered the 2025 season with high expectations, but a struggling offense hindered the program’s ability to compete at the top of the SEC. Following two consecutive seasons with double-digit wins in 2022 and 2023, mounting pressure and lack of momentum contributed to the fallout.
At present, both LSU and Kelly appear entrenched in their positions, signaling that the legal battle could be lengthy and complicated.
### Brian Kelly Buyout Details
If LSU ultimately pays the full $54 million buyout, it would rank as the second-largest buyout in college football history, trailing only behind Texas A&M’s $76.8 million buyout of Jimbo Fisher. However, if LSU successfully fires Kelly for cause, the full buyout amount would not be owed.
Currently, it remains unclear what evidence LSU possesses to justify a termination for cause, as highlighted by the ongoing lawsuit and the university’s claims.
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The situation remains fluid, and further developments will be closely watched by college football fans and legal analysts alike.
https://lsutigerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/lsu/football/2025/11/10/brian-kelly-lawsuit-lsu-football-coach-buyout-fired/87207031007/
