Coach Brian Kelly is suing LSU seeking his $53 million buyout clause after firing.
It looks like the LSU Tigers’ drama didn’t end on the field this season. Former head coach Brian Kelly has officially filed a lawsuit against Louisiana State University, demanding his full $54 million buyout after being fired. Yes, fifty-four million dollars. That’s not a typo. That’s “private island money.”
According to reports, Kelly believes LSU owes him every cent of his buyout clause, and he isn’t backing away until the money lands in his account.
Kelly alleges that the university is attempting to terminate his contract without cause to potentially avoid paying for his services. He was relieved of his coaching duties on October 26, following a loss to Texas A&M. His legal team is seeking a declaratory judgment confirming that Kelly’s dismissal by LSU was without cause and that he is entitled to the full amount of liquidated damages specified in his contract.
And it turns out that LSU has officially not terminated Kelly’s contract but it’s in the pipeline.
Brian Kelly's lawyers have told LSU he wants his full $53M buyout, the second-largest in college football history.
Kelly rejected two separate settlement offers of $25M and $30M, per @theadvocateno. pic.twitter.com/hHU0ntbluY
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) November 10, 2025
According to copies obtained by ESPN and Nola.com, the lawsuit claims that LSU, through its representatives, has not officially terminated Kelly’s employment but is considering grounds for termination “for cause.” The lawsuit states that LSU informed Kelly’s representatives that Scott Woodward, LSU’s former athletic director, lacked the authority to fire Kelly or make settlement offers in October; therefore, Kelly was never officially fired.
The lawsuit provides a full breakdown of the “for cause” termination process. Kelly claims he was never notified of anything. The “for cause” termination clause in Kelly’s contract allows for termination for several reasons, including “material and substantial violations of NCAA rules,” being convicted of a felony, offenses related to gambling, drugs, or alcohol, or engaging in serious misconduct, among other issues.
But let’s be honest, college football buyouts are their own comedy show. Coaches get fired and somehow leave richer than when they started. Meanwhile, the rest of us get an “exit interview” and maybe a leftover slice of sheet cake.
