Oregon Sues Carlos Locklyn for Breach of Contract After Leaving for Ohio State
The University of Oregon has filed a lawsuit against former running backs coach Carlos Locklyn, accusing him of breaching his contract. Locklyn, who joined Ohio State as their running backs coach on April 1, 2024, left Oregon shortly after re-signing a two-year contract with the Ducks. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning subsequently hired Ra’Shaad Samples to replace Locklyn.
Following a highly competitive season between the Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes, the two programs are now facing off in the courtroom.
According to The Oregonian‘s James Crepea, the University of Oregon has filed a suit in Lane County Circuit Court, claiming Locklyn owes approximately $400,000 in buyout money, which represents half the value of his $800,000 contract. Locklyn had signed the contract on February 1, 2024, but left Oregon just two months later for the Buckeyes.
While Locklyn did provide a $200,000 buyout payment via a mailed check—funded through an agreement with Ohio State—the university contends that this amount was insufficient. The school asserts that Locklyn owes them the full $400,000 buyout plus 9 percent interest.
In their legal filing, Oregon claims the $200,000 check was returned to Locklyn, and they have yet to receive the full amount owed. The lawsuit also notes that by the time the issue arose, Oregon’s coaching staff was already set and the recruiting season was in full swing.
Additionally, the lawsuit argues that the resources, training, and professional development that Oregon provided Locklyn did not result in the expected return on investment for the program.
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