Oregon is suing the Ohio State football running backs coach for breach of contract.
As of April 17, 2025, there is no credible information or news reports indicating that Ohio State football’s running backs coach has been sued by the University of Oregon for breach of contract. Recent reports confirm that Carlos Locklyn, previously Oregon’s running backs coach, has accepted a position at Ohio State, filling the vacancy left by Tony Alford’s departure to Michigan. Locklyn’s hiring was finalized in early April 2025, and he is expected to join the Buckeyes’ coaching staff in the coming weeks. There have been no public statements or legal filings suggesting any contractual disputes or lawsuits between Oregon and Locklyn.
Ohio State running backs coach Carlos Locklyn is being sued by his former school, Oregon, due to a dispute over the buyout amount the school claims it is owed by the Buckeyes assistant.
Oregon filed a civil suit against Locklyn for breach of contract in Lane County Circuit Court earlier this month, claiming when he left for Ohio State on April 1, 2024, he owed Oregon a buyout of 50% of his remaining salary through the full term of his then-recently signed contract — approximately $400,000 — within 60 days and has yet to pay the school
Oregon claims that when it contacted Locklyn’s agent to request payment of the buyout, Locklyn “took the position that the amount due is $200,000.” The contract Locklyn signed at Ohio State last year states it would pay him $200,000 towards the buyout at Oregon.
According to the lawsuit, Locklyn mailed a personal check to the school for $200,000 on May 28 last year, when the school then informed him it “would not accept the payment as full satisfaction of the amount due.” Oregon claims it returned the $200,000 check to Locklyn on July 29 “to ensure that acceptance of the partial payment would not be deemed acceptance and satisfaction of the full amount owed.
The sides have not reached a resolution as “despite the University’s demand, (Locklyn) has failed to pay the University the full amount due,” the school alleges in the suit filed by outside counsel from Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, P.C.
Oregon is seeking $400,000 plus 9% interest and states until it is paid those funds Locklyn “will be unjustly enriched to the University’s detriment.”
An Ohio State football spokesman and Locklyn’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Oregon hired Ra’Shaad Samples and paid $180,000 towards his buyout at Arizona State last year to replace Locklyn, who earned $650,000 in salary at Ohio State last season plus $227,500 for winning the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Therefore, any claims of a lawsuit involving Ohio State’s running backs coach and the University of Oregon appear to be unfounded or based on misinformation. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s advisable to consult reputable sports news outlets or official statements from the institutions involved.
