LSU Fires Coach Kelly, Sparks $54M Buyout Lawsuit

Louisiana State University fired football coach Brian Kelly on October 26, 2025, following a 49-25 home loss to Texas A&M that dropped the Tigers' record to 5-3. The decision has sparked a contentious legal battle over Kelly's $54 million contract buyout, with the university now asserting that he was not formally terminated and could be dismissed for cause, potentially voiding the payout. Kelly, in response, has filed a lawsuit seeking confirmation that his removal was without cause, entitling him to the full amount.

The dispute centers on the terms of Kelly's 10-year, $95 million contract, which runs through 2031. Under its provisions, termination without cause requires LSU to pay 90 percent of his remaining base salary and supplemental compensation in monthly installments, offset by any future earnings from another job. For-cause firings, which typically involve NCAA violations, felony convictions or serious misconduct, carry no such obligation. LSU officials have not publicly detailed any specific grounds for cause, though the university's legal filing claims former athletics director Scott Woodward lacked the authority to terminate Kelly or negotiate settlements during a...