John Chavis Suing LSU, Texas A&M over Contract Dispute: Latest Details, Reaction

John Chavis, who was hired as Texas A&M's defensive coordinator in January after spending six years in the same position at LSU, is reportedly suing both schools. 

Continue for updates.

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Chavis Believes He's Owed Back Pay, Claims Contract Breach With LSU

Friday, March 13

Ross Dellenger of The Advocate reported that Chavis "fired back at his former employer Friday in a stern amendment to the lawsuit he filed against LSU two weeks ago. In the amendment filed in 272nd District Court in Brazos County, Texas, Chavis claims LSU owes him more than $205,000 in unpaid incentives and vacation time and that the school unlawfully doctored his 2012 contract, making it void."

Dellenger reported that LSU declined comment.

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Chavis Suing LSU, Texas A&M in Contract Dispute

Friday, Feb. 27

According to Steve Fullhart of KBTX 3, Chavis' previous contract with LSU may require money going back to the university, and Texas A&M could be on the hook for it:

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The suit, filed Friday afternoon, notes Chavis became the defensive coordinator of LSU in 2009. Originally, it says he was under contract until the end of 2011, but a pair of contract extensions pushed his deal to December 31, 2015.

According to the suit, when the 2014 football season ended, another extension was being discussed, but the negotiations broke down.

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Ross Dellenger of The Advocate reported LSU would countersue. Barrett Sallee of Bleacher Report provided a statement from LSU:

Brent Zwerneman of the Houston Chronicle provided a statement from Texas A&M:

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There is not a dispute between Coach Chavis and Texas A&M. The University stands behind its commitment to Coach Chavis to pay any buyout due to LSU. The issue is that Texas A&M disagrees with LSU that any buyout payment is actually due.

Also in Fullhart's report, Chavis claimed he wouldn't owe LSU anything if he terminated the deal when there was between zero and 11 months left on that contract. 

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However, per the report, if Chavis opted out with between 11 and 23 months left on the deal, he would owe LSU $400,000:

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"Based on Chavis' notice of termination on January 5, 2015, the 'termination date' according to the Amendment was effective thirty days after the written notice served to LSU or (sic) February 4, 2015, which falls within the 11th month remaining on Chavis' Employment Agreement," reads the suit. According to Chavis, he does not owe LSU $400,000 as a result.

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Citing the lawsuit that was filed, Fullhart wrote Chavis claims 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."

The cited lawsuit also notes that Texas A&M is currently "unwilling" to pay LSU the money because the school doesn't believe it's necessary under the terms of the aforementioned deal. 

Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin hired Chavis away from his SEC rival following the Tigers' loss in the Music City Bowl against Notre Dame. The Aggies have had problems on defense throughout Sumlin's tenure, especially in 2014, when they finished tied for 75th in scoring defense. 

Hiring Chavis, who coached the always-potent LSU defense, was a major coup for Texas A&M. Not only did it upgrade Sumlin's coaching staff, but it took away a key coach from an SEC rival.