• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 9, 2025

College Football Coaching Buyouts Reach New Level With Jimbo Fisher Firing

  • Texas A&M has fired Jimbo Fisher after nearly six seasons with the school.
  • The move will cost more than $75 million, a record buyout figure.
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M’s firing of head coach Jimbo Fisher sets a new precedent for multi-million dollar buyouts in college football.

Just two years after giving Fisher a 10-year, $95 million contract extension, the Aggies are parting ways with the coach in a move that could cost up to $150 million. Fisher’s buyout alone will cost about $75 million and it requires that 25% of the buyout is to be paid immediately and contains no offset language — meaning Fisher will receive the money even if he ends up signing with another school, per Darren Rovell.

The university is also on the hook for the lucrative contracts held by many assistant coaches that will add tens of millions of dollars to the bill.

Fisher’s buyout was the second-largest in college football, behind only the $92 million it would cost the two-time defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs to part ways with head coach Kirby Smart. Fisher coached Texas A&M to a 51-10 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday, but his 6-9 conference record since the beginning of the 2022 season proved too much for Aggie stakeholders to ignore.

It will take eight years for Fisher to collect his full buyout. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Within 60 Days: $19.4 million
  • Within 120 Days: $7.27 million
  • 2025: $7.27 million
  • 2026: $7.27 million
  • 2027: $7.27 million
  • 2028: $7.27 million
  • 2029: $7.27 million
  • 2030: $7.27 million
  • 2031: $7.27 million

Michigan State parted ways earlier this season with head coach Mel Tucker, who had an $80 million buyout clause. The school is confident that they won’t have to honor his buyout due to the sexual harassment allegations that led to Tucker’s dismissal.

Previously, the most expensive buyout in college football history was Gus Malzahn, who received $21.5 million from Auburn after being fired in 2020.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
Chelsea

Chelsea Club World Cup Run Banks at Least $100M for Mark Walter..

The Blues will likely take home between $100 million and $120 million.
Jul 1, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at PNC Park.

MLB ASG Missing Many Highly Paid Stars, Clearing Path for Youth

Many of MLB’s top earners are not part of the Midsummer Classic.
TSU Hockey at Bridgestone

Tennessee State’s HBCU Hockey Ambitions Delayed at Least a Year

The school will not launch the first-of-its-kind program as intended.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Nicholas DeGraves (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston University Terriers during the third period of the Frozen Four college ice hockey national semifinals at Enterprise Center

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State Commitment Cements College Hockey Supremacy

Gavin McKenna’s Penn State decision signals hockey’s rising stars now prefer college.
Nov 30, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) runs the ball against West Virginia Mountaineers defensive back Anthony Wilson Jr. (12) in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field.
July 7, 2025

Felix Ojo’s Agent Says Texas Tech Offered $5.1M At Start of Rev-Share..

Texas Tech secured Ojo with a seven-figure NIL commitment.
A helmt is seen during the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
July 7, 2025

CFB’s Revenue-Sharing Era Muddles Future of NIL, Adds PE Questions

Athletic departments can pay college athletes a combined $20.5 million this year.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 6, 2025

Revenue-Sharing Chaos Begins as Texas Tech Secures Five-Star OT

The Red Raiders spent more than $10 million in the winter transfer portal.
July 3, 2025

Everything You Need to Know About EA’s Return to College Basketball Video..

There hasn’t been a college basketball game in more than 15 years.
Ohio State
July 1, 2025

Collectives Funnel $20 Million to College Athletes on Last Day Before Revenue..

Collectives frontloaded payments just before the revenue sharing era begins July 1.
July 1, 2025

Big Ten Commish Still Pushes for 4 Auto CFP Bids in 16-Team..

The conference wants four guaranteed spots in the Playoff.