Five SEC schools combine to make $136 million buyout mistake

Five SEC schools combine to make $136 million buyout mistakeStory by

James Morgan, UGA WireMon, December 1, 2025 at 9:08 PM UTC·2 min read

Five SEC schools fired their head coaches during the 2025 college football season (so far). The Ole Miss Rebels also had to find a new head coach since Lane Kiffin left for the LSU Tigers in controversial fashion. That means at least six SEC schools hired new coaches this fall.

Combined, the SEC's five firings triggered approximately $136.1 million in buyout clauses. The average buyout for these five programs is $27.2 million in buyouts, but some schools are in better shape than others.

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LSU got their guy in Lane Kiffin, but had to pay a massive $53.3 million buyout to former coach Brian Kelly. The Tigers are paying Kelly the largest buyout of any fired coach in college football this year. Not far behind Kelly is Penn State coach James Franklin, who was initially owed $48.7 million. However, Franklin did Penn State a solid and took the head coach job at Virginia Tech and is now only owed $9 million.

We live in an era where college football fans and alumni aren't patient. This lack of patience comes at a price, but sometimes it is worth it to bite the bullet and find a new coach. Sometimes you just hire another coach that you'll end up owning a massive buyout.

Ranking the buyouts of fired SEC football coaches

1. Brian Kelly, LSU

LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly reacts to a play against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Tiger Stadium.

Buyout: $53.3 million

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Date fired: Oct. 26

LSU's new hire: Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin

2. Mark Stoops, Kentucky

Head coach Mark Stoops of the Kentucky Wildcats looks on during the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs

Buyout: $37.7 million
Date fired: Dec. 1
Kentucky's new hire: None as of Dec. 1

3. Billy Napier, Florida

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 02: Head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs (R) and head coach Billy Napier of the Florida Gators (L) meet after a game at EverBank Stadium on November 02, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Buyout: $20.4 million
Date fired: Oct. 19
Florida's new hire: Tulane coach Jon Sumrall

4. Hugh Freeze, Auburn

Head coach Hugh Freeze of the Auburn Tigers reacts against the Georgia Bulldogs

Buyout: $15.4 million
Date fired: Nov. 2
Auburn's new hire: South Florida coach Alex Golesh

5. Sam Pittman, Arkansas

Sep 26, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman directs his team to the locker room after pregame warmups before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Buyout: $9.3 million
Date fired: Sept. 28
Arkansas' new hire: Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield