John Chavis Right to Sue Both LSU and Texas A&M

Texas A&M defensive coordinator John Chavis has served unofficially in that capacity since early in January, but not officially until Feb. 16, when Texas A&M announced its 2015 staff assignments.

Now we know why it took so long.

KBTX in Bryan/College Station, Texas, reported Friday afternoon that Chavis is suing both LSU and Texas A&M over his contract situation with the Tigers.

Chavis claims that LSU is demanding $400,000 because his contract with the school, which was set to expire on December 31, 2015, was terminated with more than 11 months left on the deal. Chavis, who turned in his 30-day notice on January 5, 2015, claims his last official day with the Tigers was February 4, 2015, which would result in Chavis owing LSU nothing.

Except that his last official day with the Tigers was long before that date, as Hunter Paniagua of TigerSportsDigest.com notes.

So what's the deal?

This is Chavis protecting himself, plain and simple.

What's more, it's the right play.

Wait, what? Suing his current employer is the right play? 

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LSU knows Chavis was out recruiting for Texas A&M in January. Texas A&M knows Chavis was out recruiting for Texas A&M in January. Chavis knows that Chavis was out recruiting for Texas A&M in January.

This was neither a secret nor should it come as a surprise to anybody involved in the process.

Would Texas A&M really put a provision in his contract—which is public record—stating that it will cover the expense if he's sued by his former employer?

Of course it wouldn't. So this is the next-best thing. 

The following are quotes from the suit according to KBTX's story.

"

[Texas A&M] is currently obligated to satisfy or cause to be satisfied the liquidated damages, if any, associated with Chavis' previous Employment Agreement with LSU.

[Texas A&M] is "unwilling to tender the liquidated damages demanded by LSU because it does not believe that liquidated damages are called for under the Employment Agreement as mentioned above."

"

Well of course Texas A&M is unwilling to tender the liquidated damages now, because, technically, Chavis' last day with LSU was February 4 and his first day with Texas A&M was February 16.

If the court feels otherwise (which, let's be honest, it should), then a quick settlement will likely take place, the buyout will be taken care of and A&M and Chavis will be happy. Texas A&M waited a long time to officially announce Chavis as its new defensive coordinator, so it's not like this came out of the blue to the school. 

As the school indicated in its statement sent to Ross Dellenger of The Advocate, there is no tension between the school and Chavis.

It knew what was going on, and the delay in the announcement indicates that it is on board with Chavis' plan.

Instead of jumping through a ton of legal hoops and souring the relationship with Chavis before he even starts the job, Texas A&M is putting up the facade of unwillingness now to protect itself, knowing that it might have to cover the damages at a later date.

It isn't risky that Chavis is suing his current employer, it's safe.

He's protecting himself and his bank account knowing that, while he might win his case against LSU, a loss wouldn't impact his own bottom line. Moreover, Texas A&M's actions suggest that it is on board with the plan, even though its words in the suit say otherwise.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report, as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.