Report: Brian Kelly files lawsuit against LSU, says school attempting 'for cause' firing

LSU has taken the position that it never “formally terminated” former head coach Brian Kelly, according to legal documents obtained by ESPN. The university is now looking to fire Kelly “for cause” — which could see the institution avoid potentially paying Kelly’s full $54 million buyout.

According to ESPN, Kelly’s attorneys were made aware of LSU’s stance on Monday. This comes after he was removed from his position as LSU’s head football coach on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Kelly and his party are now seeking “a declaratory judgment confirming that LSU’s termination of Coach Kelly is without cause.” This is to prove that “Coach Kelly is entitled to receive the full liquidated damages provided for in (his contract).”

The lawsuit spans 48 pages, which was obtained by ESPN. It was filed out of the 19th Judicial District for the Parish of East Baton Rouge on the same day Kelly was made aware of the decision. The document, in part, reads: “LSU’s representatives had a call with Coach Kelly’s representatives, where LSU took the position that Coach Kelly had not been formally terminated and informed Coach Kelly’s representatives, for the very first time, that LSU believed grounds for termination for cause existed.”

If it is found that LSU did have “cause” to fire Kelly, then the university will not be forced to pay the full amount of Kelly’s buyout. There is no indication of what incident or behavior may have impacted LSU’s stance on the matter, or who Kelly may have spoken to from LSU.

However, the suit does reveal that Kelly’s side has pushed back on three specific points that LSU brought up on Monday. The first, that he had not been terminated. Second, then-AD Scott Woodward was “not acting with authority” in a meeting attended by several LSU officials. And third, that there is any ground for termination “with 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.”

“LSU has never claimed that Coach Kelly was terminated for cause and, prior to November 10, 2025, never asserted that he engaged in any conduct that would warrant such a termination,” the lawsuit reads, per ESPN. “To the contrary, LSU repeatedly confirmed, both publicly and to Coach Kelly, that the termination was due to the Team’s performance, not for cause.”

Additionally, the lawsuit stated that LSU needed to inform Kelly of his “for cause” firing within seven days of his termination. Kelly would be given an additional seven days to respond. Neither happened, per the suit.

There is also mention that the two parties attempted to settle a buyout offer with Kelly. That included offers from LSU to settle at both $25 million and then later $30 million.

Kelly was let go the next night following last month’s 49-25 loss to Texas A&M. The Tigers dropped to 5-3 on the season, and Kelly finished his tenure with a 34-14 overall record with the school