Stunning details emerge in Brian Kelly and LSU's divorce over $54,000,000 buyout dispute: Report

Brian Kelly was removed from his position as LSU’s football coach on Oct. 26. His dismissal came after the Tigers suffered a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M at Tiger Stadium. According to reports, LSU owed Kelly $54 million as part of his buyout.

However, on Monday, reports from ESPN claimed that LSU never “formally terminated” Kelly, but is now looking to fire him “for cause” to avoid paying his full buyout. Kelly’s attorneys have been made aware of the Tigers' stance.

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

If LSU did have “cause” to fire Kelly, then the school would not be forced to pay the complete amount of Kelly’s buyout.

However, as things stand, there is no indication of what incident or behavior may have impacted LSU’s stance on the matter.

According to reports, Kelly's attorneys said he rejected financial settlement offers from LSU of $25 million and $30 million. Both offers reportedly included the elimination of mitigation and offset clauses that would reduce his buyout if he lands another job in football.

Brian Kelly won the SEC West division title at LSU in 2022

LSU Tigers HC Brian Kelly - Source: Getty

LSU hired Brian Kelly as its football coach in November 2021. He guided the Tigers to the Southeastern Conference West Division title in the 2022 season.

In just under four years, Kelly compiled a 34-14 record at LSU.

Following Kelly's firing, LSU announced Frank Wilson, the team's associate head coach and running backs coach, as its new interim head coach.