For two months (and counting), LSU and former defensive coordinator John Chavis, who now assumes the same role on Texas A&M’s coaching staff, have been at odds regarding contending lawsuits over whether Chavis owes LSU a buyout for leaving his job for the job at A&M before Feb. 1.
Chavis’ suit asserts that LSU owes him more than $200,000 for unpaid vacation time and incentives from his stint at LSU from 2008-14. LSU’s suit states Chavis owes the university a $400,000 buyout for leaving his position before the start of February.
Related: John Chavis amends lawsuit, says LSU owes him money
Now the battle between school and former coach has grown even more contentious. In a recent report by The Advocate in Baton Rouge, La., Chavis has responded to LSU’s lawsuit in the 19th Judicial Court in East Baton Rouge Parish, requesting the court throw out the suit or place a stop on it until Chavis’ suit is resolved. Chavis’ legal teams reasons that the coach’s lawsuit was filed first among the two, by a whopping three hours, and that the two suits are “identical” enough to warrant handling one, the first one filed, and then the other.
Chavis also filed documents regarding his own suit in the 272nd District Court in Brazos County, Texas, shooting down LSU’s claim that Texas is an improper venue for the suit to be decided. Per The Advocate‘s report, Chavis’ filing states that LSU has “continuous and systematic contacts” in Texas “sufficient to establish general jurisdiction.”
Related: John Chavis files suit against LSU
The school and coach have been in this legal battle since late-February, and it all stems from a breakdown in contract negotiations between Chavis and LSU last December following the conclusion of LSU’s 8-4 regular season. Chavis was displeased with what has been called the “Les Miles Clause,” which would have allowed LSU to terminate Chavis or any other staff member without a buyout in the event Miles left his position as LSU’s head coach for any reason.
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.
