LSU has officially terminated head coach Brian Kelly “without cause,” a decision that — according to sources — makes the university responsible for the roughly $54 million remaining on his contract. The move was communicated in a signed letter Wednesday from new LSU president Wade Rousse, which reiterated the contract’s terms, including liquidated damages and Kelly’s obligation to make “good-faith, reasonable, and sustained efforts to obtain qualifying employment” during the six years that damages would remain payable.
Kelly had been relieved of coaching duties on Oct. 26; the university initially described the dismissal as performance-related. That framing drew scrutiny after public comments by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who criticized the program and then-athletic director Scott Woodward. Following those remarks, Kelly’s attorneys filed a petition seeking a declaratory judgment, saying unspecified LSU officials had told Kelly’s representatives he had not been “formally terminated.”
The petition challenged three claims by the school: that Kelly had not been terminated, that Woodward lacked authority to fire him, and that there were grounds to fire him for cause. Kelly’s lawyers argued LSU did not follow the contractual steps required to terminate a coach for cause.
The development comes as LSU is pursuing Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, who is expected to make an announcement this weekend. Despite public opposition from Landry to large guaranteed payouts, LSU appears willing to offer a substantial guarantee if it can convince Kiffin to leave Ole Miss.
Since Kelly’s dismissal, LSU promoted Verge Ausberry to athletic director and installed Rousse as president. Kelly has indicated he intends to return to coaching next season.
