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LSU’s ongoing legal battle with Brian Kelly is heating up while the Tigers are reportedly ready to break the bank for Lane Kiffin. The administration is preparing a massive $98 million contract offer for the Ole Miss coach, but they haven’t even finalized Kelly’s termination yet.
It’s been a month since LSU showed Kelly the door after getting blown out by Texas A&M, and the buyout situation remains unresolved. Kelly isn’t going quietly—he’s filed a lawsuit seeking the full $54 million his contract guarantees him. The university’s strange defense? They’re claiming former AD Scott Woodward didn’t have the authority to fire Kelly in the first place. They haven’t even sent him an official termination letter.
This limbo is hurting Kelly’s chances of landing a new gig.
His legal team just sent LSU a strongly-worded letter, according to ESPN, claiming the school’s foot-dragging is actively damaging his career prospects:
“As you know, there is absolutely no basis to LSU’s contrived positions that Coach Kelly was not terminated or that cause existed for such termination,” the letter said. “LSU’s conduct, including its failure to confirm that Coach Kelly was terminated without cause and its unsupported allegations of misconduct on the part of Coach Kelly, has made it nearly impossible for Coach Kelly to secure other football-related employment. LSU’s conduct continues to harm Coach Kelly, particularly during this critical hiring period.”
Here’s where it gets interesting – Kelly’s contract includes offset language, which means any salary from a new coaching job would reduce what LSU owes him. By sending this letter, Kelly’s team is building the legal argument that LSU’s actions are preventing him from fulfilling his obligation to seek new employment that could actually save the university money on his buyout.
The Tigers initially wanted to negotiate the buyout terms, but they’ve since shifted to exploring whether they can fire Kelly “for cause” – which would let them off the hook for the $54 million. Kelly’s attorneys maintain that LSU missed their window to make such a claim.
Unless both sides find common ground soon, this dispute appears headed for a messy and protracted court battle – all while LSU is trying to land their next coaching star with a record-breaking offer.
