10 Largest Coaching Buyouts in College Football History
College football has never been short on drama, but few storylines draw more attention than the staggering cost of firing a head coach. When victories dry up, universities often turn to expensive buyouts to make a change. In today’s era of multimillion-dollar contracts and demanding fan bases, these payouts have become a defining feature of the sport. Here’s a look at the ten largest coaching buyouts in college football history.
Jimbo Fisher (Texas A&M) – $76.8 million
Texas A&M dropped the biggest buyout check ever when it fired Jimbo Fisher in November 2023. After a 45-25 record that never lived up to the hype, the school owed him nearly $77 million from a deal that runs through 2031. His best moment came during the 2020 COVID-shortened season when the Aggies went 9-1, but that success faded fast. Now, under Mike Elko, Texas A&M finally looks like it’s turning things around.
Brian Kelly (LSU) – $53.8 million
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Brian Kelly’s four-year LSU run ended in 2025 after a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M. His 10-year, $95 million contract turned into a financial nightmare for the Tigers, who must now pay him 90% of his remaining salary. Kelly’s teams went 34-14 overall but never reached the College Football Playoff, which left fans wondering what could have been. LSU is once again searching for a new leader, just four years after hiring him away from Notre Dame.
James Franklin (Penn State) – $49 million
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Penn State severed ties with James Franklin in October 2025, following a rough stretch that included losses to Oregon, UCLA, and Northwestern. Franklin went 104-45 from 2014 to 2025 and led the Nittany Lions to their first CFP appearance. But his teams struggled against ranked opponents, and patience finally ran out. He’s still expected to land another big job soon.
Gus Malzahn (Auburn) – $21.4 million
Auburn fired Gus Malzahn in December 2020 and paid him over $21 million to leave. He had a 94-59 record and gave the Tigers some memorable wins, but inconsistency and a lack of playoff appearances cost him his job. Since his firing, Auburn has been through multiple coaches, each trying to find the stability Malzahn never quite delivered.
Billy Napier (Florida) – $21.2 million
Billy Napier’s time at Florida ended in October 2025 after going 22-23 over three and a half seasons. His 0-14 record against ranked opponents on the road and a 3-4 start this season sealed his fate. Florida fans had high hopes when he arrived from Louisiana, but his tenure proved just how tough the SEC can be. His buyout sits just below Malzahn’s at $21.2 million.
Charlie Weis (Notre Dame) – $18.9 million
Charlie Weis was fired in 2009 after posting a 26-24 record with the Fighting Irish. His buyout cost Notre Dame nearly $19 million, an amount that became a cautionary tale for athletic directors nationwide. Ironically, Notre Dame replaced him with Brian Kelly, who would later end up on this same list after leaving LSU with a massive buyout of his own.
Willie Taggart (Florida State) – $18 million
Florida State fired Willie Taggart midseason in 2019 after a 9-12 record in less than two years. His $18 million buyout reflected the desperation of a once-great program trying to return to national relevance. Taggart’s short tenure showed how quickly expectations can crush even well-paid coaches.
Ed Orgeron (LSU) – $16.9 million
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Ed Orgeron’s story is one of the wildest in college football. Less than two years after leading LSU to a national championship in 2019, he was out of a job. The Tigers paid him $16.9 million to leave in 2021 after two .500 seasons. Despite his uneven record, his title-winning run with Joe Burrow remains one of the most memorable in recent history.
Tom Allen (Indiana) – $15.5 million
Indiana let go of Tom Allen in 2023 after a 33-49 record that included just one standout season. His $15.5 million buyout made headlines for a program not usually associated with football spending. Since then, Curt Cignetti has revitalized the Hoosiers.
Tom Herman (Texas) – $15.4 million
Texas fired Tom Herman in January 2021 despite a 32-18 record and a 10-win season in 2018. His $15.4 million buyout closes out the top ten list. Herman’s replacement, Steve Sarkisian, has since led the Longhorns back into playoff contention.