LSU Admits to Altering Former Defensive Coordinator John Chavis' Contract

Former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis put in six seasons of work in Baton Rouge as a leader of a top-flight program in the SEC but continues to battle with the school in the wake of an unsavory departure.

Court documents revealed Thursday the university admitted to altering Chavis' contract in 2012 after he had signed a new deal, as reported by the Advocate's Ross Dellenger.

Chavis' attorney, Jill Craft, spoke about the situation as her client had no comment following a Thursday hearing at the 19th Judicial District Court in East Baton Rouge Parish, per Dellenger:

"

It's exactly what coach has been saying all along, that the contract was altered after he signed it in 2012. You can't alter a contract and try to claim it's valid and you certainly can't sue over it. One of the things they did admit was altered was the buyout provision. In some sense, it's vindication.

"

The Advocate obtained copies of the contract through the court and determined at least three lines of it had been altered.   

Bob Barton, who represents LSU, released a statement to the Advocate on Thursday explaining the university did nothing nefarious in altering Chavis' contract:

"

The 'alteration' issue is nothing more than an attempt to divert attention from the real issues. LSU and Mr. Chavis had a valid employment agreement from 2009 until he left the University at the end of 2014. There were multiple amendments to the employment agreement during that time, including the 2012 amendment that Mr. Chavis claims was altered. Importantly, the 2012 contract was ratified in 2013 by a Memorandum of Understanding that extended Mr. Chavis' contract with LSU by another year, through the end of 2015.

"

State District Judge Timothy Kelley ruled Thursday that Chavis' defamation claim will move forward with the condition he provides phone records from Nov. 2014 to Feb. 13, 2015. Chavis has previously withheld those records, which Barton believes is a sign his side will prevail.

"The court vindicated LSU's position on its motion to compel and ordered Mr. Chavis to produce records that he has previously withheld," said Barton, per Dellenger. "LSU looks forward to obtaining those records and moving this matter toward resolution."

LSU believes those records will reveal Chavis broke his contract before Jan. 31, 2015, which would obligate him to pay the buyout money of $400,000.

There was still time left on his LSU deal when he left for Texas A&M; LSU's lawsuit states Chavis owes $400,000 for breaking his contract early. NOLA.com's Jim Kleinpeter reported in the wake of Chavis' departure LSU offered him a three-year, $1.33 million extension to stay put, but he opted for Texas A&M instead.

After producing first-round picks such as Eric Reid, Patrick Peterson, Barkevious Mingo and Morris Claiborne, among other standout NFL prospects, Chavis left the Tigers for the Texas A&M Aggies ahead of the 2015 campaign.

The Aggies ranked 103rd in total defense last season before Chavis' arrival. Under its new play-caller, Texas A&M has shown drastic improvement in ranking 42nd with 367.2 yards allowed per contest.

With all the positive changes Chavis has inspired on the gridiron in College Station, though, his messy separation from LSU still lingers.

The hope is the scuffle ends soon because the Aggies are already dealing with the transfer of quarterback Kyle Allen and are reportedly set to lose young signal-caller Kyler Murray, per TexAgs.com. Chavis' defense needs to be all the more sharp with so much uncertainty under center.