Lawyers: LSU’s behavior ‘made it nearly impossible’ for Brian Kelly to get a job
Brian Kelly’s attorneys told LSU in a letter that the school’s claim that it had not “officially terminated” Kelly as head football coach “made it nearly impossible” for him to obtain another coaching job.
According to the letter, sent Nov. 18 to LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry and Board of Supervisors member John H. Carmouche, Kelly says he “reserves all rights to seek any and all damages to the fullest extent permitted by law” for interfering with any potential candidacy for the job.
“As you know, there is absolutely no basis for LSU’s contrived positions of not terminating Coach Kelly’s employment or having cause for such termination,” the letter obtained by ESPN said. “LSU’s conduct, including its failure to confirm that Coach Kelly was terminated without cause and its unsupported allegations of misconduct on the part of Coach Kelly, made it nearly impossible for Coach Kelly to secure other football-related employment.
“LSU’s behavior continues to hurt Coach Kelly, especially during this critical recruiting period.”
LSU declined to comment because it is part of an ongoing legal matter.
The LSU Board of Supervisors voted Friday to allow new president Wade Ross to officially terminate Kelly. The council did not clarify whether the shooting would be for a reason or without a reason.
Kelly, 64, was relieved of his starting duties on Oct. 26, a day after Texas A&M’s 49-25 loss dropped the Tigers to 5-3. At the time, the school made it clear in public statements that the dismissal was performance-related.
In November, according to a legal filing by Kelly, the school told Kelly’s representatives that then-athletic director Scott Woodward did not have the authority to fire Kelly. The school then stated it had reason to fire Kelly “for cause,” which could impact his contract payout, which is approximately $54 million.
In response, Kelly filed a motion for declaratory judgment in the 19th Judicial District of East Baton Rouge Parish (Louisiana), asking the judge to affirm that Kelly was fired on October 26 without cause.
In a separate letter, dated Nov. 19 and obtained by ESPN, Kelly’s lawyers say Carmouche told them that Carmouche “expressed hope” that they would agree to send written confirmation that Kelly was fired without cause, but only after meeting with a board member and Ross.
The letter claims that Carmouche asked Kelly to withdraw the petition for declaratory judgment.
The letter dated Nov. 19 also said that Kelly would not withdraw the petition for declaratory judgment until he “receives written confirmation” signed by Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott Ballard, Osprey and Ross “that his termination was without cause” and that LSU “will fulfill its contractual obligation to pay full liquidated damages to Coach Kelly.”
Kelly’s lawyers say legal wrangling and confusion have made it difficult for Kelly to pursue open coaching jobs in college football. There are currently nine positions open in the power conferences, and more are expected to open as the regular season postseason practice round begins this weekend.
Kelly came to LSU from Notre Dame in 2022 and went 34-14 overall. He previously coached Cincinnati, Central Michigan and Grand Valley State (Mich.), where he won two Division II national titles.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach contributed to this report.