BATON ROUGE,La. – Brian Kelly’s attorneys allege Louisiana State University’s handling of his October firing has severely hampered his ability to secure a new head coaching position, according to a recent legal filing and correspondence obtained by ESPN. The dispute centers on whether Kelly was terminated “for cause” or “without cause,” a distinction with significant financial implications tied to his roughly $54 million contract.
Kelly was dismissed on Oct. 26, one day after a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M dropped LSU‘s record to 5-3. Initially, the school publicly stated the dismissal was performance-related. However, in November, LSU informed Kelly’s representatives that then-athletic director Scott Woodward lacked the authority to fire Kelly.The university later asserted it had grounds to terminate Kelly “for cause,” possibly reducing the buyout owed to him.
in response, Kelly filed a petition of declaratory judgment in the 19th Judicial District for the Parish of East Baton Rouge, seeking a court declaration that his firing on Oct. 26 was “without cause.”
Further complicating matters, a nov. 19 letter from Kelly’s attorneys details a conversation with LSU counsel regarding a potential resolution. According to the letter, LSU representative Shelly Carmouche ”expressed her hope” that Kelly would agree to written confirmation of a “without cause” termination, contingent upon a meeting with a board member and LSU President William Rousse.Carmouche also reportedly requested Kelly withdraw his petition for declaratory judgment.
Kelly’s legal team responded that he would not withdraw the petition until receiving written confirmation from Board of Supervisors chair scott Ballard,LSU Athletic Director Christian Ausberry,and Rousse affirming the termination was “without cause” and guaranteeing full payment of his contractual damages.
The ongoing legal battle and resulting uncertainty, Kelly’s attorneys contend, have made it “nearly impossible” for him to pursue open head coaching opportunities. Currently, nine vacancies exist in Power Five conferences, with more anticipated as the coaching carousel intensifies.
Kelly arrived at LSU in 2022 after coaching at Notre Dame, where he compiled a 34-14 overall record. Prior to Notre Dame, he led Cincinnati, Central Michigan, and Grand Valley State (Michigan)-winning two Division II national titles with the latter.
