Report: Brian Kelly attorneys sent letter to LSU, claim school 'made it nearly impossible' for coach to land job

Brian Kelly’s attorneys are claiming that LSU is making it “nearly impossible” for the former head coach to find a new job, according to a letter obtained by ESPN. Kelly was fired last month after spending three and a half seasons at the program’s helm.

“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 reads. “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.”

The letter was sent to new LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry and board of supervisors member John Carmouche on Nov. 18. It also states that if the university interferes in his future job candidacy, Kelly reserves “all rights to seek any and all damages to the fullest extent permitted by law.”

This comes after Kelly filed a lawsuit against the Tigers after LSU took the position that it had never formally fired Kelly as its football coach. The university was reportedly looking to fire Kelly “for cause” in an attempt to potentially avoid paying out Kelly’s full $54 million buyout.

On Friday, LSU’s board of supervisors voted to have new university president Wade Rousse formally terminate Kelly. It’s unclear whether that was with or without cause.

In Kelly’s contract, “for-cause” firing was laid out as the following: material and substantial NCAA rule violations, being convicted of a felony or any crime involving gambling, drugs or alcohol, engaging in serious misconduct which displays serious disrespect, or if he “constitutes moral turpitude.”

A separate letter dated Nov. 19 stated that Carmouche had previously “expressed his hope” that LSU would send written confirmation to Kelly that he was fired without cause. It also claims that Carmouche asked Kelly to withdraw the petition for declaratory judgement.

Kelly said that he wouldn’t do that until he receives his written confirmation signed by board of supervisors Scott Ballard, as well as the athletic director and president. He’s also requesting that LSU “fulfill its contractual obligation to pay Coach Kelly the full liquidated damages.”

He was let go after losing in a 49-25 blowout against Texas A&M on Oct. 26, which dropped LSU to 5-3 on the season. Kelly finished his tenure with a 34-14 overall record, including a 19-10 mark in conference play..