Former LSU football coach Brian Kelly says he's open to settlement with LSU in email
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BATON ROUGE — Following his termination as LSU football head coach, Brian Kelly confirmed his dismissal via an e-mail to LSU administrators along with thanking them for the opportunity to lead the Tigers program.
Kelly also mentioned his openness to reaching a settlement with the university in the correspondence WAFB Channel 9 obtained through a records request. Kelly’s e-mail was addressed to then LSU athletics director Scott Woodward, then executive deputy AD Verge Ausberry, LSU chief operating officer Julie Cromer and LSU football general manager Austin Thomas.
Per his contract, Kelly is owed a $54 million buyout of his deal with LSU but the school did announce the two partiers were in negotiations over his buyout the night he was let go.
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“As we discussed in our meeting, I’m open to your desire to reach a settlement of what’s owed to me under the contract, although of course it would have to make sense financially,” Kelly wrote.
It’s been nearly two weeks since Woodward fired Kelly on Oct. 26 as the football team was beginning its second open date of its 2025 regular season schedule. The Tigers, who were 5-3 overall at the time of Kelly’s firing, were coming off a humiliating 49-25 loss to Texas A&M inside Tiger Stadium.
Over his three-plus seasons in charge, Kelly was 34-14 as LSU’s head coach.
“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.
“As we discussed in our meeting, I’m open to your desire to reach a settlement of what’s owed to me under the contract, although of course if would have to make sense financially.
“Despite your decision to let me go today, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to lead this program over the last four years and wish you all the best going forward.”
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Brian Kelly says he’s open to settlement with LSU in email
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