LSU football coach Brian Kelly watches his team's game against Louisiana Tech during the second half at Tiger Stadium.

The aftermath of Brian Kelly's firing at LSU football is getting messier and messier.

Kelly has filed a lawsuit against LSU, claiming the school on Monday, Nov. 10, informed his represenatives that it has taken the position that it has not "formally terminated" him and is now is aiming to fire him for cause in an attempt to avoid paying his $54 million buyout.

Kelly isn't the only major change at LSU in recent weeks. The program has also parted ways with former athletic director Scott Woodward, who was responsible for hiring Kelly and relieving him of his coaching duties. Woodward was replaced by deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry in the interim, before newly hired president Wade Rousse elevated Ausberry to full-time athletic director.

Here's everything to know about Kelly and his contract situation at LSU.

Why is Brian Kelly suing LSU? Explaining lawsuit

Kelly is suing LSU, as he alleges the school is aiming to fire him for cause to avoid paying the $54 million buyout he is owed, according to the lawsuit obtained by ESPN and Nola.com.

The school informed Kelly's representatives of its position on Nov. 10, according to ESPN. LSU also told Kelly's representatives that it felt it had grounds for a for-cause termination.

Kelly's lawyers are seeking a declaratory judgment that confirms his termination was without cause, according to ESPN. Doing so would entitle Kelly to his $54 million buyout, which he has a duty to mitigate by finding employment following his firing.

Kelly and LSU were previously negotiating on a buyout total, but Kelly declined lump payments of $25 million and $30 million, according to Nola.com.

Is Brian Kelly fired at LSU?

Kelly's official employment status has now become a central point in his suit against LSU, with Kelly contending he was fired without cause on Sunday, Oct. 26. His suit alleges LSU has taken the stance that it has not made a formal decision on his employment — and is now seeking to fire him for cause.

Kelly was relieved of coaching duties on Oct. 26 following a 49-25 defeat to Texas A&M the day prior. Frank Wilson took over interim head-coaching duties in LSU's lone game since, a 20-9 defeat at Alabama.

In an Oct. 26 news release, Woodward said, "LSU athletics has made the decision to separate with football head coach Brian Kelly effective immediately," adding that "terms of the separation are still being negotiated."

“When Coach Kelly arrived at LSU four years ago, we had high hopes that he would lead us to multiple SEC and national championships during his time in Baton Rouge,” Woodward said. “Ultimately, the success at the level that LSU demands simply did not materialize, and I made the decision to make a change after last night’s game."

According to an open records request from WAFB Channel 9 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Kelly sent e-mails to LSU administration with language suggesting he had been terminated from his position:

"Sending a quick note to confirm that following my termination during our meeting today, I will return all LSU materials in my possession as required by my contract. Let me know if it's better for me to clean out my office, or if you would prefer to pack everything up and send it to me," Kelly said in the e-mail. "I assume (human resources) will be in touch regarding any other housekeeping matters out there but let me know (if) you need anything else from me in the meantime."

Kelly also said he was open to reaching "a settlement of what's owed to me under the contract," adding that it "would have to make sense financially."

Brian Kelly buyout

Kelly is owed approximately $54 million if he's to be formally fired without cause, according to his contract obtained by the USA TODAY Network. It would be the second most-expensive buyout in college football history, behind Jimbo Fisher's mark at Texas A&M in 2023.

LSU owes Kelly 90% of his remaining base salary and supplemental compensation, plus a pro-rated "longevity compensation" bonus that was set to be paid to Kelly on July 15, 2026, and on other dates in the future.

Kelly's contract had a duty-to-mitigate clause, which means the buyout total would be offset based on his salary at his new school, should he consider returning to coaching.

What does fired for cause mean?

The suit doesn't define why LSU feels it has grounds for firing Kelly for cause, according to ESPN.

According to Kelly’s LSU contract, should the university fire him “for cause,” his base salary, supplemental compensation and fringe benefits would end on the final day of the month in which he was terminated, with the university no longer liable for sums or damages beyond that date.

Kelly was relieved of his coaching duties on Oct. 26.

According to Kelly’s contract, if LSU is to fire him without cause, it must provide him a seven-day “cure period” in which he is able to address material violations of his contract, as provided in a written notice. After the seven-day cure period — but prior to termination — he must be provided written notice of “contemplated termination.” He would then be given an additional seven days to respond to the athletics director.

Within seven days of receipt of decision, Kelly may make a written request for review to the president, at which time the president's designee shall conduct a review. Within 14 days of submission, Kelly would then be given a written notice of the president's final decision.

Multiple coaches have been fired for cause in recent years. Former Stanford coach Troy Taylor was fired for cause in March following an investigation that arose after complaints were made of his workplace behavior. Utah State also fired former coach Blake Anderson for cause in 2024 following an investigation that concluded he failed to properly report sexual misconduct, per Title IX policies.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why is Brian Kelly suing LSU? Coach's contract, buyout, firing central to lawsuit

Reporting by Austin Curtright, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY

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