The LSU Tigers fired head coach Brian Kelly after a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M. According to the buyout clause in his contract, he owes $54 million from the program, assuming his firing was “without cause,” which is the whole reason behind the ongoing lawsuit between both parties.
Actually, the program is trying to void Kelly’s $54 million buyout by claiming that he was terminated with cause. In response, Kelly’s attorneys filed a lawsuit in the 19th Judicial District Court, seeking to have his firing be officially ruled as “without cause,” so that he can access his $54 million buyout money.
As per Kelly’s lawyers, the ongoing conflict and LSU’s contradictory claims have reportedly made it “nearly impossible” for Kelly to take a job somewhere else. This is because if what LSU claims “for cause” firing is true, the future job opportunity will hold it against the head coach since it may imply possible misconduct or something worse.
Brian Kelly’s lawyers are claiming LSU is preventing him from becoming a head coach elsewhere.
Kelly’s attorneys say LSU failing to confirm he was fired without cause and allegations of misconduct are making it “nearly impossible” for him to get another job.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) November 26, 2025
What Brian Kelly’s Attorneys Are Claiming To Support Their Lawsuit
In the lawsuit filed by Brian Kelly, his lawyers claimed that LSU never provided a written notice of cause, which is required as per the contract. They also said that the program has not provided any possible misconduct to support their “for cause” firing.
Kelly is seeking damages as well since he might miss out on the college football coaching carousel, which tends to begin after the regular season, starting next week.
His resume should easily land him a job in a Power Five program but only if his situation with LSU settles.
There are several notable college football programs that are searching for head coaches. This includes Penn State Nittany Lions, who fired James Franklin and Florida Gators, who fired Billy Napier.
However, with the ongoing lawsuit and contradictory claims by LSU, there’s a chance that Kelly might lose his $54 million buyout money and also the potential job opportunity elsewhere.
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