More than two weeks have passed since LSU parted ways with its former head coach, Brian Kelly. Despite his efforts, Kelly was unable to guide the Tigers back to a national championship, and after a slow start this season, the university decided it was time for a change.

Back in November 2021, Kelly had inked a lucrative ten-year contract extension worth $95 million with LSU. This agreement included a buyout clause that entitled him to receive 90% of his remaining salary if the contract was terminated. Consequently, Kelly is set to receive nearly $54 million, distributed in equal payments until 2031.

In an attempt to reduce long-term financial obligations, LSU proposed alternative settlements to Kelly. The university initially offered a lump sum payment of $25 million, instead of the full $54 million spread over several years. Kelly declined the offer. LSU then increased the offer to $30 million, but Kelly once again refused. Now, he is suing the university, claiming he was fired without just cause.

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According to the lawsuit, Kelly alleges that LSU never officially terminated his contract. The suit claims that the university argued former athletic director Scott Woodward lacked the “authority to terminate Coach Kelly and/or make settlement offers to him.” Woodward himself was dismissed just days after Kelly’s departure.

This contractual dispute appears far from resolution, drawing out a very public conflict for LSU. The position of head coach at LSU is highly coveted in college football, but this ongoing saga may deter potential candidates from pursuing the role.

During his time with LSU, Kelly amassed a record of 34 wins and 14 losses. While his overall performance was not poor, he struggled in key matchups and never managed to lead the Tigers to the College Football Playoff. His dismissal came on the heels of a disappointing 49-25 defeat to Texas A&M, a game where LSU had been leading by four points at halftime, marking an unceremonious end to Kelly’s tenure at LSU.

Kelly’s contract also had language around mitigating some of his LSU buyout with future earnings at another head coaching stop. If he can get the school to agree to continue paying him while making money from a second school, that’ll be a cherry on the top. In the meantime, the litigation headaches will continue—but there’s potentially a very lucrative reward on the other side of it.