Brian Kelly's lawyers: LSU making job hunt impossible for fired coach

Attorneys for former LSU football head coach Brian Kelly sent a letter to athletic director Verge Ausberry and board of supervisors member John H. Carmouche on November 18. The letter, obtained by ESPN, alleges that LSU's claim that it had not "formally terminated" Kelly "made it nearly impossible" for him to get another coaching job.

From ESPN's reporting:

"As you know, there is absolutely no basis to LSU's contrived positions that Coach Kelly was not terminated or that cause existed for such termination," the letter 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, has made it nearly impossible for Coach Kelly to secure other football-related employment. LSU's conduct continues to harm Coach Kelly, particularly during this critical hiring period."

LSU declined to comment on the letter, citing the ongoing legal matter. The board has yet to indicate if Kelly's firing would be for or without cause. According to a legal filing by Kelly in November, his agent was informed by the school that then-athletic director Scott Woodward didn't have the authority to dismiss Kelly, then the school said it fired Kelly "for cause."

In another letter obtained by ESPN, dated November 19, Kelly's representation said Carmouche "expressed his hope" that the school would send written confirmation of Kelly's firing without cause following a meeting with a board member and Rousse.

Per the November 19 letter, Carmouche asked Kelly to withdraw a petition that requests Kelly "receives written confirmation" signed by board of supervisors chair Scott Ballard, Ausberry and Rousse "that his termination was without cause" and LSU would "fulfill its contractual obligation to pay Coach Kelly the full liquidated damages."

Kelly was relieved of his coaching duties on October 26 following LSU's blowout loss to Texas A&M. Since then, according to his representation, the legal confusion has made Kelly's search for another head coach position difficult.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Brian Kelly’s lawyers say LSU is making his job search impossible