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Louisiana State University has acknowledged that former head football coach Brian Kelly was terminated without cause — a pivotal admission that positions the school to pay the full liquidated damages at the center of Kelly’s lawsuit, according to a letter from the university president obtained by Law360. The move brings a dramatic turn in a high-profile contract dispute that has followed LSU like a long shadow since Kelly’s abrupt departure.

LSU Confirms Its Obligations

In a Wednesday letter addressed directly to Kelly, LSU President Wade Rousse said the university intends to honor the terms laid out in the coach’s employment agreement. Rousse emphasized that Kelly must pursue “qualified football-related employment” to help mitigate the damages LSU is required to pay, adding a reminder that Kelly must keep thorough records of his job-search efforts.

The letter — stamped with the university president’s official seal — leaves no ambiguity. Rousse wrote, “For the avoidance of doubt, LSU expects you to maintain reasonable documentation of your job-search efforts.”

Contract Terms and the Breaking Point

Under Kelly’s agreement, LSU committed to paying 90% of his base salary and supplemental compensation if he were terminated without cause before the contract’s scheduled 2031 end date. The university cut ties with Kelly following the Tigers’ 49–25 loss to Texas A&M, a defeat that shook confidence throughout the program like a stadium tremor.

Kelly filed suit on Nov. 10 in Louisiana state court, seeking a declaration that he was indeed fired without cause. His petition stated he was owed approximately $54 million in liquidated damages. According to Kelly, LSU attempted to renegotiate that amount, floating a $25 million lump-sum payment that was later raised to $30 million — still far short of the contractual figure.

Negotiations and Legal Maneuvers

After filing the lawsuit, Kelly notified the university — through his legal team — that he would withdraw his petition if LSU confirmed in writing that his termination was without cause and agreed to pay what the contract stipulated. LSU’s letter this week delivered exactly that acknowledgement.

Representatives for neither LSU nor Kelly immediately responded to requests for comment Thursday, leaving the public and college football community waiting for the next move in a saga marked by strategy, brinkmanship, and multimillion-dollar stakes.

Legal Representation

Kelly is represented by Michael Walshe Jr. and Walter Metzinger III of Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann LLC, along with Robert Fumerton and Julie Cohen of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP. Counsel for LSU has not yet been disclosed.