Report: Ex-LSU coordinator Chavis turned down more money to join A&M
Former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis left money on the table after his contract dispute to join Texas A&M.
The Advocatereports LSU head coach Les Miles made a last-ditch contract offer to Chavis on December 30, the night of LSU's Music City Bowl loss to Notre Dame. Chavis had decided weeks earlier that he would leave LSU for A&M after a contract dispute surrounding a clause in his contract and had informed Miles of his plans.
According to the report, Chavis refused LSU's three-year offer worth $1.8 million annually during a meeting with Miles and Miles's lawyer at the team hotel. His contract at Texas A&M is fully guaranteed and pays him $1.5 million, $1.55 million and $1.6 million the next three seasons. Chavis reportedly “never saw the details” of LSU's offer. Chavis had previously refused to sign a new deal due to a contract clause stipulating LSU could terminate his employment in the event of Miles being fired, which the school includes in all of its assistants' contracts.
The separation between Chavis and LSU has been messy. He filed a lawsuit against the school over disputed bonus payments that was dismissed in Texas court three weeks ago. LSU wants Chavis to pay his $400,000 buyout. He is asking for $445,000 in penalty wages in addition to $205,000 in unpaid bonus money. The coach alleges LSU led a “campaign of disinformation” against him after his departure and that an LSU official altered his contract after he signed it.
Chavis is reportedly requesting a jury trial.
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- Jeremy Woo
