The University of Oregon is suing Ohio State running backs coach Carlos Locklyn for breach of contract.
Earlier this month, Oregon filed a civil suit against Locklyn, who left his position as running backs coach of the Ducks to accept the same position with the Buckeyes before the 2024 football season. Per a report from OregonLive, UO claims that Locklyn owed the school a buyout of 50% of the remaining salary in his contract, approximately $400,000.
In the suit, Oregon states that it contacted Locklyn's agent to collect the $400,000 following his departure, but Locklyn "took the position that the amount due is $200,000," then mailed a personal check for $200,000 to UO on May 28, 2024. Per the report, his Ohio State contract last year stated that it would pay Locklyn $200,000 toward a buyout at Oregon.
Locklyn's legal team released a statement to OregonLive saying the coach met paid an amount that "fully satisfied" his buyout obligation.
“Coach Locklyn lawfully terminated his employment agreement with the University of Oregon and promptly delivered a check fully satisfying any possible obligation under the buy-out provision,” said John Berg, an attorney at Littler Mendlson P.C., which is representing Locklyn in the matter. “The University declined the check, and now asserts an untenable interpretation of the agreement. We welcome the opportunity to present the facts to a judge and are confident the litigation will be resolved to Coach Locklyn’s satisfaction.”
An Ohio State spokesperson said the athletic department did not have a comment in response to the lawsuit.
Locklyn's Oregon buyout was reported as a prorated amount of $366,667 at the time of his move to Ohio State, but Oregon is now seeking $400,000 plus 9% interest from Locklyn, per OregonLive.
With Locklyn coaching its running backs in 2024, Ohio State fell to Oregon in the regular season but defeated the Ducks 41-21 in the 2025 Rose Bowl en route to a national championship. Under Locklyn’s leadership, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins became the third pair of Ohio State running backs to both rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.
