Paul Finebaum rips LSU for 'disgraceful' handling of Brian Kelly firing, buyout negotiations

More than two weeks after announcing their parting of ways, Brian Kelly’s firing as LSU head coach remains a key point of discussion. The former Tigers coach filed a lawsuit Monday against the school amid the buyout dispute and negotiations, On3’s Pete Nakos reported.

As he assessed the recent turns in Baton Rouge, Paul Finebaum didn’t hold back about how LSU – and others in Louisiana – handled the situation. The SEC Network host called out the “disgraceful” events.

Finebaum acknowledged the impact the last two weeks have had on LSU and its ensuing coaching search. What started with Kelly’s departure turned into fiery comments from Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, the departure of former athletics director Scott Woodward and, now, a lawsuit centered around Kelly’s $54 million buyout. That, Finebaum said, isn’t reflecting well on LSU as a whole.

“We try to prop up everybody here,” Finebaum said Tuesday on The Paul Finebaum Show. “And we were in Baton Rouge a number of weeks ago, talking to everybody who mattered down there. But I have never seen a school do more damage to itself in the span of two weeks.

“You have every right to fire your coach. But the sleaziness that has permeated the air in Louisiana since the Brian Kelly firing is pretty disgraceful.”

Following the announcement of Kelly’s departure, Woodward said the school was negotiating the terms of the separation. That likely meant an attempt at a settlement of Kelly’s buyout, which was upward of $54 million, per the terms of his contract.

In the suit – filed late Monday – LSU is arguing it did not “formally terminate” Kelly as head coach, his complaint said. The 48-page complaint also outlines that LSU is working to fire Kelly “for cause” and avoid paying his $54 million buyout.

Later in the program, Finebaum pointed out the terms of a contract and what it means for the two sides involved in the deal. He told caller Chris that no matter what the school thought of Kelly, he is still due the full terms of his buyout since they chose to more on from him.

“I don’t know if you’ve ever had a contract, but it’s a two-way deal,” Finebaum said. “You can hate Brian Kelly, but you still have to agree he is entitled to whatever his contract stipulates. Whether the governor, whether the other characters in this cartoon agree or not.”

Pete Nakos contributed.