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LSU Finalizes Brian Kelly Firing as 'Without Cause,' Triggering $54 Million Buyout

The written notice obligates payments over six years subject to Kelly’s duty to pursue coaching work.

Overview

  • A letter signed by President Wade Rousse confirms the without-cause termination and activates roughly $54 million in liquidated damages.
  • Payments will be spread over six years with an offset provision requiring “good-faith, reasonable and sustained” job-seeking efforts and documentation of interviews and offers.
  • Kelly sued on Nov. 10 over LSU’s delay and references to potential for-cause grounds, and he is expected to withdraw the case as early as Monday, according to reporting.
  • Court filings show LSU floated for-cause arguments and offered lump-sum settlements of $25 million and then $30 million, which Kelly declined before the university reversed course.
  • The timing aligns with leadership changes and political pressure at LSU and with the school’s active pursuit of a replacement coach, widely reported to include Lane Kiffin with large offers under consideration.