Oregon Sues Former Running Backs Coach Over $200K Buyout Dispute

The University of Oregon is suing its former running backs coach for breach of contract after his departure for Ohio State.

Carlos Locklyn coached the Ducks in the 2022 and 2023 seasons before he left for Columbus in April 2024. The university claims that Locklyn owed the school $400,000 within 60 days of ending his contract, but Locklyn’s camp contends he was only required to pay half of that—which he did. But the school sent back the check, and is now suing for the full amount, plus 9% interest.

The university filed its complaint in Lane County Circuit Court on April 4. The news was first reported by The Oregonian.

Locklyn signed a two-year, $800,000 extension with Oregon in February 2024, which said he would owe the school the full remainder of his contract if he left. But that number would reduce to just half of what was left on his contract starting on April 1, 2024, which led to Ryan Day and his staff swooping in.

The university’s court filing includes an exhibit called an “employee agreement” signed by Locklyn that reads: “Termination by Coach shall require Coach to pay…Fifty percent (50%) of Guaranteed Salary at the time of Termination by Coach if this Agreement is Terminated by Coach beginning April 1, 2024 and prior to February 1, 2025.” At the time of Locklyn’s exit, the buyout—which is often paid by the poaching school—stood at about $366,667.

However, Locklyn’s camp disagrees with that math. His attorney John Berg called it an “untenable interpretation of the agreement.” Locklyn believes he owes the university $200,000, which is also how much his Ohio State contract says it would give him for the buyout. Locklyn mailed Oregon a check for $200,000 last May, but the university returned it, saying it did so in its filing “to ensure that acceptance of the partial payment would not be deemed acceptance and satisfaction of the full amount owed.”

“We welcome the opportunity to present the facts to a judge and are confident the litigation will be resolved to Coach Locklyn’s satisfaction,” Berg said in a statement to The Oregonian.

“The complaint outlines our position regarding the lawsuit,” a university spokesperson told Front Office Sports. “Due to the pending litigation, we do not believe it would be appropriate to provide further comment at this time.” Representatives for Locklyn did not immediately respond to questions.

Locklyn’s first season as running backs coach at Ohio State ended in the school’s first national title since 2014. Oregon narrowly beat Ohio State in the regular season, but the Buckeyes trampled the No. 1 seeded Ducks in a 20-point Rose Bowl win.