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Buyout bonanza! Fired college football coaches getting nearly $200 million to go away
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- Buyout bonanza! Fired college football coaches getting nearly $200 million to go away
Eleven FBS coaches have been fired since the start of the 2025 season. That includes openings at some of the country's biggest programs: Penn State , LSU , Auburn and Florida . And being a fired college football doesn't seem all that bad.
The combined buyouts are pushing $185 million, according to contracts and term sheets obtained by USA TODAY Sports . And it won't be long until we reach $200 million.
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Brian Kelly and James Franklin's $50 million buyouts are doing most of that lift, rivaling Jimbo Fisher's $76.8 million Texas A&M gave him to go away as the largest buyouts in college football history.
LSU football becomes a circus. Does Lane Kiffin want to be a clown in the act?
Year 4 or shown the door? Florida showed Auburn the price for retaining a lame-duck coach
Cal fired Justin Wilcox on Nov. 23 with one game left in the regular season. The Golden Bears are 6-5 this season but 48-55 in Wilcox's seven seasons in charge.
(Brian Bishop-Imagn Images)
Auburn fired coach Hugh Freeze on Nov. 2 following a home loss to Kentucky. Freeze was 15-19 in two-plus seasons on the Plains.
(John Reed, John Reed-Imagn Images)
LSU fired Brian Kelly on Oct. 26 after an embarrassing home loss to Texas A&M the night before.
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
Florida fired Billy Napier on Oct. 19 during his fourth season as Gators coach. UF was 22-23 during Napier's tenure.
(Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
Penn State fired James Franklin on Oct. 12 after a third straight loss. The Nittany Lions were 104-45 in 11-plus seasons under Franklin.
(Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)
UAB fired Trent Dilfer on Oct. 12 after a 2-4 start to the 2025 season. Dilfer was in his third season as head coach of the Blazers.
(Randy Sartin, Imagn Images)
Sam Pittman was fired by Arkansas on Sept. 25, a day after the Razorbacks were blown out by Notre Dame, 56-13. Pittman was 32-34 in his five-plus seasons as Hogs coach.
(Nelson Chenault, Imagn Images)
Virginia Tech fired Brent Pry on Sept. 14 after the Hokies started the season 0-3. Virginia Tech was 16-24 overall in Pry's three-plus seasons.
(Brian Bishop-Imagn Images)
UCLA fired DeShaun Foster on Sept. 14 after the Bruins fell to 0-3 following a home loss to New Mexico. The Bruins were 5-10 in Foster's one-plus season in charge.
(Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)
Mike Gundy was in his 21st season as Oklahoma State coach when he was fired on Sept. 23. Gundy was 170-90 as Cowboys coach, but started 1-2 this season after going 3-9 in 2024.
(William Purnell, Imagn Images)
Oregon State fired Trent Bray on Oct. 12 after the Beavers started the season 0-7. The Beavers were 5-14 in Bray's season-plus in Corvallis.
(Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images)
Colorado State fired football coach Jay Norvell on Oct. 19. Norvell was 18-26 in his four seasons in Fort Collins.
(Logan Newell/The Coloradoan)
Stanford coach Troy Taylor was fired prior to the 2025 season following allegations of mistreating staff. He was 6-18 in two seasons with the Cardinal and was replaced by interim coach Frank Reich.
Kent State coach fired coach Kenni Burns on April 15 after he posted a 1-23 record of and was placed on administrative leave by the school in March. Mark Carney is serving as interim coach.
(Matthew O'Haren, Imagn Images)
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College football coaches fired already in 2025 season. See who's on the growing list
Cal fired Justin Wilcox on Nov. 23 with one game left in the regular season. The Golden Bears are 6-5 this season but 48-55 in Wilcox's seven seasons in charge.
(Brian Bishop-Imagn Images)
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College football coaches fired already in 2025 season. See who's on the growing list
Cal fired Justin Wilcox on Nov. 23 with one game left in the regular season. The Golden Bears are 6-5 this season but 48-55 in Wilcox's seven seasons in charge.
(Brian Bishop-Imagn Images)
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College football coaches fired already in 2025 season. See who's on the growing list
Auburn fired coach Hugh Freeze on Nov. 2 following a home loss to Kentucky. Freeze was 15-19 in two-plus seasons on the Plains.
(John Reed, John Reed-Imagn Images)
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College football coaches fired already in 2025 season. See who's on the growing list
LSU fired Brian Kelly on Oct. 26 after an embarrassing home loss to Texas A&M the night before.
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
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College football coaches fired already in 2025 season. See who's on the growing list
Florida fired Billy Napier on Oct. 19 during his fourth season as Gators coach. UF was 22-23 during Napier's tenure.
(Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
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College football coaches fired already in 2025 season. See who's on the growing list
Penn State fired James Franklin on Oct. 12 after a third straight loss. The Nittany Lions were 104-45 in 11-plus seasons under Franklin.
(Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)
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College football coaches fired already in 2025 season. See who's on the growing list
UAB fired Trent Dilfer on Oct. 12 after a 2-4 start to the 2025 season. Dilfer was in his third season as head coach of the Blazers.
(Randy Sartin, Imagn Images)
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College football coaches fired already in 2025 season. See who's on the growing list
Sam Pittman was fired by Arkansas on Sept. 25, a day after the Razorbacks were blown out by Notre Dame, 56-13. Pittman was 32-34 in his five-plus seasons as Hogs coach.
(Nelson Chenault, Imagn Images)
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College football coaches fired already in 2025 season. See who's on the growing list
Virginia Tech fired Brent Pry on Sept. 14 after the Hokies started the season 0-3. Virginia Tech was 16-24 overall in Pry's three-plus seasons.
(Brian Bishop-Imagn Images)
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College football coaches fired already in 2025 season. See who's on the growing list
UCLA fired DeShaun Foster on Sept. 14 after the Bruins fell to 0-3 following a home loss to New Mexico. The Bruins were 5-10 in Foster's one-plus season in charge.
(Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)
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College football coaches fired already in 2025 season. See who's on the growing list
Mike Gundy was in his 21st season as Oklahoma State coach when he was fired on Sept. 23. Gundy was 170-90 as Cowboys coach, but started 1-2 this season after going 3-9 in 2024.
(William Purnell, Imagn Images)
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College football coaches fired already in 2025 season. See who's on the growing list
Oregon State fired Trent Bray on Oct. 12 after the Beavers started the season 0-7. The Beavers were 5-14 in Bray's season-plus in Corvallis.
(Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images)
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College football coaches fired already in 2025 season. See who's on the growing list
Colorado State fired football coach Jay Norvell on Oct. 19. Norvell was 18-26 in his four seasons in Fort Collins.
(Logan Newell/The Coloradoan)
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College football coaches fired already in 2025 season. See who's on the growing list
Stanford coach Troy Taylor was fired prior to the 2025 season following allegations of mistreating staff. He was 6-18 in two seasons with the Cardinal and was replaced by interim coach Frank Reich.
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College football coaches fired already in 2025 season. See who's on the growing list
Kent State coach fired coach Kenni Burns on April 15 after he posted a 1-23 record of and was placed on administrative leave by the school in March. Mark Carney is serving as interim coach.
(Matthew O'Haren, Imagn Images)
Here's a look at the buyouts for the 11 coaches fired so far this season:
College football 2025 fired coaches buyouts
These buyouts may be subject to coaches' duty to mitigate by getting new jobs with the firing schools getting to offset the buyouts based on the new employment income.
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Brian Kell y, LSU , $53 million
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James Franklin, Penn State $49 million
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Billy Napier, Florida , $21 million
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Hugh Freeze, Auburn , $15.4 million
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Mike Gundy , Oklahoma State, $15 million
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Sam Pittman , Arkansas , $9.3 million
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Brent Pry , Virginia Tech , $6.8 million
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DeShaun Foster , UCLA , $6.4 million
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Trent Bray, Oregon State, ~$4 million
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Trent Dilfer, UAB, $3 million
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Jay Norvell, Colorado State , $1.5 million
In USA TODAY Sports' review of compensation for Division I football head coaches, we found 32 are earning $7,000,000 or more this season. Georgia’s' Kirby Smart is No. 1 at $13,282,580 million.
(Alan Poizner, Imagn Images)
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Ryan Day, Ohio State, $12,575,000
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Lincoln Riley, Southern California, $11,537,560
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson, $11,382,775
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Steve Sarkisian,Texas, $10,800,000
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Dan Lanning, Oregon, $10,400,00
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Kalen DeBoer, Alabama, $10,250,000
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Brian Kelly, LSU, $10,175,000
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Bill Belichick, North Carolina, $10,100,000
T10. Josh Heupel, Tennessee, $9,000,000
T10. Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri, $9,000,000
T10. Mark Stoops, Kentucky, $9,000,000
T10. Lane Kiffin, Mississippi, $9,000,000
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Deion Sanders, Colorado, $8,975,000
T15. James Franklin, Penn State, $8,500,000
T15. Matt Rhule, Nebraska, $8,500,00
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Mario Cristobal, Miami, $8,302,883
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Curt Cignetti, Indiana, $8,300,000
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Bret Bielema, Illinois, $8,200,000
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Shane Beamer, South Carolina, $8,150,000
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Luke Fickell, Wisconsin, $7,825,000
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Jedd Fisch, Washington, $7,575,024
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Brent Venables, Oklahoma, $7,552,000
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Billy Napier, Florida, $7,470,000
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Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State, $7,442,000
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Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame, $7,421,201
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Jonathan Smith, Michigan State, $7,350,000
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Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh, $7,259,909
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Kirk Ferentz, Iowa, $7,175,000
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Sonny Dykes, TCU, $7,036,013
T31. P.J. Fleck, Minnesota, $7,000,000
T31. Mike Elko, Texas A&M, $7,000,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
In USA TODAY Sports' review of compensation for Division I football head coaches, we found 32 are earning $7,000,000 or more this season. Georgia’s' Kirby Smart is No. 1 at $13,282,580 million.
(Alan Poizner, Imagn Images)
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
In USA TODAY Sports' review of compensation for Division I football head coaches, we found 32 are earning $7,000,000 or more this season. Georgia’s' Kirby Smart is No. 1 at $13,282,580 million.
(Alan Poizner, Imagn Images)
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Ryan Day, Ohio State, $12,575,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Lincoln Riley, Southern California, $11,537,560
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Dabo Swinney, Clemson, $11,382,775
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Steve Sarkisian,Texas, $10,800,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Dan Lanning, Oregon, $10,400,00
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Kalen DeBoer, Alabama, $10,250,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Brian Kelly, LSU, $10,175,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Bill Belichick, North Carolina, $10,100,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
T10. Josh Heupel, Tennessee, $9,000,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
T10. Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri, $9,000,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
T10. Mark Stoops, Kentucky, $9,000,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
T10. Lane Kiffin, Mississippi, $9,000,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Deion Sanders, Colorado, $8,975,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
T15. James Franklin, Penn State, $8,500,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
T15. Matt Rhule, Nebraska, $8,500,00
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Mario Cristobal, Miami, $8,302,883
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Curt Cignetti, Indiana, $8,300,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Bret Bielema, Illinois, $8,200,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Shane Beamer, South Carolina, $8,150,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Luke Fickell, Wisconsin, $7,825,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Jedd Fisch, Washington, $7,575,024
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Brent Venables, Oklahoma, $7,552,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Billy Napier, Florida, $7,470,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State, $7,442,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame, $7,421,201
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Jonathan Smith, Michigan State, $7,350,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh, $7,259,909
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Kirk Ferentz, Iowa, $7,175,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
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Sonny Dykes, TCU, $7,036,013
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
T31. P.J. Fleck, Minnesota, $7,000,000
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Who are the highest paid college football coaches? Check out the top 32.
T31. Mike Elko, Texas A&M, $7,000,000
Keep up with the latest news and analysis from college football's top two conferences: Check out our Big Ten Hub and our SEC Hub to get school-by-school coverage from across the USA TODAY Network.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College football fired coach buyout tracker: How much schools spent
