"Former LSU coach Brian Kelly's $54 million buyout would bring the amount of money owed to FBS head football coaches fired this season to $167.7 million, according to publicly available data and reports. Kelly's buyout, which is still being negotiated with LSU, is the highest of the 2025 season so far, topping the $49 million owed to Penn State's ex-coach James Franklin, who was fired on Oct. 12. Also included in the $167.7 million: $21 million for Billy Napier, fired from Florida Oct. 19. $15 million for Mike Gundy, fired from Oklahoma State Sept 23. $9.8 million owned to Sam Pittman, fired from Arkansas Sept. 28."
"Buyout totals are subject to change in certain circumstances; for example, if Kelly or Franklin land new jobs, the schools that fired them owe them less money. Napier's contract with Florida, on the other hand, did not include offset language, and half of his buyout is owed to him within 30 days of his firing. Kelly's buyout is the second largest in college football history, behind Texas A&M's record $76 million buyout of Jimbo Fisher in 2023."
Brian Kelly faces a potential $54 million buyout that would bring the total owed to fired FBS head coaches this season to $167.7 million. Kelly's buyout is currently the largest of the 2025 season, exceeding the $49 million owed to Penn State's James Franklin. Other reported buyouts include Billy Napier ($21M), Mike Gundy ($15M), Sam Pittman ($9.8M), Brent Pry ($6M), DeShaun Foster ($5M), Trent Bray ($4M), Trent Dilfer ($2.4M) and Jay Norvell ($1.5M). Buyout obligations can be reduced if fired coaches take new jobs; Napier's Florida contract has no offset language and half his buyout is payable within 30 days. Kelly's buyout ranks second all-time behind Jimbo Fisher's $76 million, both hires linked to athletic director Scott Woodward.
Read at ESPN.com
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