College football coaching buyouts often carry headline-grabbing figures, but the actual payouts can differ significantly due to offset clauses, mitigation duties, and negotiated settlements. The 2025 coaching cycle highlighted this complexity across ten major programs.
Brian Kelly, LSU
Original buyout: $54 million. After a contentious legal battle where LSU initially attempted to fire Kelly for cause, he was formally terminated without cause around Thanksgiving. Kelly, now a CBS Sports analyst, will receive the full $54 million provided he fulfills his obligation to seek another job.
James Franklin, Penn State
Original buyout: $49 million over six years. Franklin quickly sought a new position and settled with Penn State for a significantly reduced $9 million before taking the Virginia Tech job. The settlement allowed Penn State to avoid annual "Bobby Bonilla Day" style headlines.
Mark Stoops, Kentucky
Original buyout: $37.7 million. Stoops will receive the full amount but restructured: nearly $4 million upfront by December 16, 2025, with the balance paid quarterly through April 1, 2031 (about $6.7 million annually). No offset language applies, and a mutual non-disparagement agreement is included.
Jonathan Smith, Michigan State
Original buyout: $33.5 million (85% of remaining deal through 2030). Smith's contract includes mitigation and offset clauses, but he has not yet taken another qualifying coaching job. Michigan State can suspend payments if he is not communicative about employment efforts.
Billy Napier, Florida
Original buyout: $21 million. Napier's contract had no offset or mitigation clause; half was due within 30 days of his firing. He subsequently took a job at James Madison at a salary that represents a discount relative to his buyout.
Hugh Freeze, Auburn
Original buyout: $15.4 million. Freeze has no offset or mitigation provisions and is not currently coaching elsewhere, so he will receive every penny owed.
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State
Original buyout: $15 million. Gundy's contract requires reasonable efforts to obtain comparable employment, but he is currently working as an analyst for TNT Sports. The buyout remains at $15 million for now.
Justin Wilcox, California
Original buyout: $10.9 million. Wilcox has not taken another job, but offset language exists for any future football coaching, coordinator, or administrative role.
Sam Pittman, Arkansas
Original buyout: $9.8 million. Pittman negotiated a reduced $8.3 million buyout in exchange for removing a clause that would have compelled him to seek work until age 65. The settlement reflected a middle ground between the 75% owed (due to his winning record) and the 50% that would have applied if his team fell below .500.
Brent Pry, Virginia Tech
Original buyout: $6 million through 2027. After being fired as head coach, Pry was rehired as defensive coordinator under Franklin. His buyout was amended to $3.1 million, with his DC salary covering a similar amount over 2026-2027, plus potential bonuses and a $2 million salary for 2028.
