Saturday, Texas A&M defensive coordinator John Chavis will be tasked with stopping the LSU offense led by Leonard Fournette. Chavis, who joined the Aggies' staff this year, served as the defensive coordinator at LSU from 2009-14. Although it will be Chavis' first time meeting his former team on the playing field, he has been battling his former school off the filed since his departure.
Chavis originally filed a lawsuit against LSU and his current employer Texas A&M in Bravos County Texas on February 27, 2015. LSU immediately responded by filing a notice to dismiss the lawsuit based on improper venue, which was granted, and filing its own lawsuit in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. According to Chavis, LSU owes him over $200,000 in unpaid vacation wages and academic performance bonuses from his prior contract. LSU believes Chavis owes them $400,000 for breaking his prior contract when he left for Texas A&M.
MORE: Fournette-Clarett comparison | Week 12 photos
Analysis of contract between Chavis and LSU
Chavis’ original contract as the defensive coordinator for LSU ran from 2011-14. The contract stipulated that Chavis would owe LSU $400,000 if he terminated the contract with more than 11 months left on the contract. If Chavis terminated the contract within 11 months of expiration, he would not owe the $400,000 buyout provision. This contract was later extended by the parties to run through 2015.
According to Chavis, he had the right to terminate the contract without cause with 30 days notice to LSU. Chavis claims he provided LSU written notice on January 5, 2015, which would have made his last day, February 4, 2015, a few days inside of the 11 month termination window, thus relieving him of his obligation to pay the buyout.
LSU claims Joe Alleva, the institution's director of athletics, sent a letter to Chavis on January 2, 2015, requesting Chavis pay the buyout because he terminated the contract before January 31, 2015. This letter would indicate the contract was terminated by Chavis prior to the 11-month termination window, which would obligate him to pay the buyout.
The factual finding regarding when the contract was terminated and by whom will be the deciding factor on which the court will base its decision.
Texas A&M's inclusion in Chavis' lawsuit
Although Texas A&M does not have any actual involvement in the dispute between Chavis and LSU, they are included in Chavis' lawsuit because they are an indispensable party. An indispensable party is one whose participation is required in a lawsuit for the purposes of rendering a judgment.
Here, Texas A&M is an indispensable party because Chavis' new contract with the Aggies calls for the institution to satisfy any liquidated damages (i.e., the $400,000 buyout provision) due to LSU under his contract with the Tigers. Texas A&M has publicly stated they intend to honor this provision, but for procedural purposes, they still must be included.