$118 million. That’s not a typo. That’s what Georgia would have to cough up if they wanted to send Kirby Smart packing tomorrow. Welcome to the wild, wallet-busting world of college football coaching contracts, where buyouts have ballooned to levels that make pro sports deals look like chump change.
They’re turning the sport into a high-stakes financial circus. Universities are locking in coaches with golden parachutes so big they could fund entire athletic departments. And if things go south? Good luck firing anyone without breaking the bank.
Here’s the thing nobody wants to admit: these enormous buyouts might be protecting coaches, but they’re absolutely killing programs that can’t afford to make changes. Stuck with a mediocre leader because his contract is ironclad? That’s a recipe for years of frustration. We’ve pulled the latest from Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports to break down the top 10 biggest buyouts heading into 2025. These numbers are real, they’re ridiculous, and they’re reshaping college football as we know it.
The Top 10 Wallet-Busters
Kirby Smart, Georgia Bulldogs — $118 million
Smart’s got the richest contract in college football history, with 85% guaranteed money stretching past 2028. It’s the highest buyout ever recorded, and honestly, after his championship runs, Georgia probably doesn’t mind. But $118 million? Most hilariously would dream of getting fired.
Lincoln Riley, USC Trojans — approx. $90 million
USC plays it close to the chest as a private school, so exact figures are hazy. But reports from reliable spots like SI and Yahoo consistently peg Riley’s buyout in the $80–90 million range. That’s a ton of cash for a coach who’s still trying to make the Trojans relevant again.
Kalen DeBoer, Alabama Crimson Tide — $70 million
Alabama went all-in on DeBoer with a 10-year deal that’s 90% guaranteed. Post-Saban life is scary, but this buyout gives him massive security. The Tide better hope he delivers, because cutting ties would hurt. After what they have seen thus far the boosters may already be getting together to find out if or how they could make this happen.Â
Steve Sarkisian, Texas Longhorns — $64 million
Sarkisian earned his extension after back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances, which jacked up his buyout big time. Texas is back,—at least on paper—and this contract only raises the expectations for a national championship sooner rather than later.Â
Mike Norvell, Florida State Seminoles — $63 million
Norvell’s locked in through 2031, with about 85% guaranteed if FSU pulls the plug. The Seminoles have had their moments under him, but this buyout means they’re hope he raises the program to the level of contending for a national championship again.Â
Brian Kelly, LSU Tigers — $62 million
Kelly’s 10-year, $95 million deal from 2022 makes him one of the most financially bulletproof coaches out there. Astonishing and incredible for a coach who has not won a national championship at the Division I level. Being a head coach at this level since 2004, Brian Kelly’s retirement plan is well funded.Â
Mario Cristobal, Miami Hurricanes — $61 million
Miami threw the kitchen sink at Cristobal when they lured him from Oregon in 2022. The Hurricanes are desperate for relevance, and this massive contract shows just how far they’ll go. For Mario Cristobal, leaving Oregon for a chance to go back to the program where you won two national championships as a player, while securing this kind of financial security? Absolute no brainer.Â
Dabo Swinney, Clemson Tigers — $60 million
The two-time national champ’s deal is guaranteed through 2031, basically giving him “lifetime” status at Clemson. Fans love him, but in today’s NIL era, is that enough? Well you can see how fast that love can be gone as many are saying the Dabo cannot compete or bend to the new era of College Football.Â
James Franklin, Penn State Nittany Lions — $56.66 million
This hefty buyout screams Penn State’s loyalty, even though playoff wins have been MIA. Franklin’s consistent, but Nittany Lions fans are probably wondering when the big breakthrough comes. They have been waiting since 1986, and many fans are losing belief in Franklin thinking the wait will only get longer. Â
Matt Rhule, Nebraska Cornhuskers — $56.28 million
Rhule’s eight-year, $74 million pact (90% guaranteed) puts his buyout among the elite. Nebraska’s been starving for success, and this contract shows they’re willing to pay up to find it. Incredible work by Rhule’s agent securing a deal like this after his stint with the Carolina Panthers was an absolute disaster.Â
Why These Numbers Are Straight-Up Insane
This system creates a massive divide. Powerhouse programs with deep-pocketed boosters can afford to eat these costs if they need a change. Smaller schools? They’re trapped with underperformers because firing them would bankrupt the department. It’s turning college football into even more of a rich-get-richer game.
Not every program has a list of ultra-wealthy boosters that wrap around the block like some of these Tier 1 schools. These deals aren’t funded by tuition dollars—they’re coming from wealthy alumni who treat programs like their personal fantasy teams. When things flop, they’re the ones writing the massive checks to make coaches disappear.
Coaches with ironclad deals can take risks without fear, but programs get paralyzed when they can’t afford to move on. Add in the transfer portal, NIL madness, and conference realignments, and the sport looks nothing like it did a decade ago. Is all this cash making college football better? More competitive? Or is it just inflating egos and bank accounts while the on-field product suffers? That’s the debate raging in every fan forum right now.
Wrapping This Up
The top 10 coaching buyouts in 2025—led by Kirby Smart, Lincoln Riley, Kalen DeBoer, Steve Sarkisian, Mike Norvell, Brian Kelly, Mario Cristobal, Dabo Swinney, James Franklin, and Matt Rhule—are a perfect snapshot of college football’s financial frenzy. These aren’t just contracts; they’re statements of power, desperation, and sometimes straight-up overcommitment.
As TV deals keep pouring in money and the playoff expands, expect these numbers to climb even higher. But here’s the real question: at what point does the money start hurting the game more than helping it? College football is supposed to be about passion and tradition, not eight-figure golden parachutes. Time will tell if this bubble bursts—or if it just keeps getting bigger.
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