The already messy split between Brian Kelly and LSU took an unexpected turn, resulting in a positive outcome for the ex-Tigers coach.
Kelly is set to receive the remaining $54 million owed to him following a lawsuit he filed alleging the school tried to evade payment.
The coach’s lawsuit against LSU claimed the school was trying to dodge its buyout obligations after allegedly informing Kelly’s representatives that he hadn’t been officially terminated and they were instead aiming to dismiss him for cause.
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However, Kelly received a letter from the school Wednesday confirming his official termination without cause and acknowledging he’s owed “liquidated damages as required” under his contract.
LSU clarified in the letter that Kelly has a legal responsibility to make “good-faith, reasonable and sustained efforts” to find another football job while still receiving LSU payments.
When Kelly’s departure was formally announced, then–athletic director Scott Woodward stated, “We held high hopes that he would guide us to numerous SEC and national championships during his tenure in Baton Rouge. Ultimately, the required level of success at LSU simply didn’t materialize, leading me to make the decision for a change after last night’s game.”
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Woodward has since departed from his position after Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry declared he wouldn’t allow Woodward to select the next coach, suggesting he’d prefer President Donald Trump to make the choice.
However, the lawsuit contended that LSU informed Kelly’s representatives that Kelly was never formally dismissed because Woodward lacked “the authority to terminate Coach Kelly and/or make settlement offers to him.”
In his statements regarding Woodward, Landry also criticized the former athletic director for the $77 million given to Jimbo Fisher, whom Woodward hired and whose contract negotiations he oversaw when Fisher was released by Texas A&M.
Kelly’s dismissal occurred soon after Penn State fired James Franklin, as several significant college opportunities have emerged this season. Franklin has since joined Virginia Tech, but Kelly is still looking for his next position.
Kelly’s career record stands at 297-109-2, dating back to his time coaching Division II school Grand Valley State from 1991 to 2003. He spent 12 seasons at Notre Dame before his move to Baton Rouge and also had stints at Central Michigan and Cincinnati.
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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