• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Texas A&M’s $86M Cost To Buy Out Jimbo Fisher

  • Fisher is making $9 million this season as part of his fully guaranteed contract.
  • Texas A&M is reportedly the first college football program ever to follow a No. 1 recruiting class with a losing season.
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Turns out money doesn’t always buy wins in college football — whether it’s through NIL deals or coach contracts.

Following Saturday’s 13-10 upset loss to Auburn, Texas A&M dropped to 3-7 on the season — guaranteeing its first losing campaign since 2009 and becoming the first team in the SEC to miss out on bowl eligibility.

Texas A&M is reportedly the first college football program ever to follow a No. 1 recruiting class with a losing season.

Much of the blame will fall on the expensive Jimbo Fisher — the nation’s sixth-highest-paid head coach in 2022 at $9 million. He signed a fully-guaranteed extension in 2021 that will keep him with the program through 2031.

If the university were to fire them this season, it would cost them $86 million to buy out his contract.

In the spring, Nick Saban said that “A&M bought every player on their team” to get the top recruiting class.

Fisher notably recruited the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class for 2022 — and possibly of all time — and all of his classes since 2019 have ranked eighth or better.

Sports Media Goes All-In On Jimbo Fisher Vs. Nick Saban Feud

The sports media can’t get enough of the fiery college football feud…
May 19, 2022

It led to the Aggies having all the hype (No. 6 in the preseason AP poll) — which they didn’t get close to living up to.

  • The Aggies are the highest preseason ranked team to miss bowl eligibility since No. 5 Texas in 2010.
  • Their 3-7 record is the worst through 10 games by a preseason top six since Alabama in 2000.

Texas A&M’s 2023 recruiting class currently ranks as only 23rd-best in the nation.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) takes hits from UCLA Bruins linebacker Jalen Woods (9) and defensive back Rodrick Pleasant (18) during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl.

Rose Bowl Lawsuit Claims UCLA Tried to Move Games to SoFi Stadium

UCLA has called the Rose Bowl home since the early 1980s.

SEC-Led College Football TV Ratings Are Still Up 4% Through Week 9

The average game audience this season is 1.95 million viewers.
John Madden

How John Madden Became ‘America’s Nutty Football Professor’

“Once paired with Summerall, Madden found his true path.”

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

TNT Sports is going all-in on college athletics—bringing fans closer and giving brands a powerful new way to connect.
October 28, 2025

SEC Coaches Kiffin, Smart Question LSU’s Firing of Kelly: ‘Ridiculous’ 

Three SEC teams have fired their football coaches midseason.
Sankey
October 28, 2025

SEC’s Sankey Blasts NCAA Plan to Allow Pro Sports Betting

NCAA athletes can bet on professional sports starting Nov. 1.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

TNT Sports is going all-in on college athletics—bringing fans closer and giving brands a powerful new way to connect.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry speaks to an audience at Louisiana Tech University on Aug. 25, 2025.
October 28, 2025

Why Louisiana’s Governor Was Involved in the Brian Kelly Firing

Jeff Landry reportedly hosted a meeting at the governor’s mansion Sunday.
Brian Kelly
October 28, 2025

CFB Firings Tracker: LSU Owes Brian Kelly $53 Million

The sum owed Kelly slightly tops James Franklin’s at Penn State. 
Tigers Head Coach Brian Kelly, LSU Tigers take on the Texas A&M Aggies. October 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
October 27, 2025

College Football Coach Buyouts Are Not What They Seem

LSU will likely not have to pay Kelly the $53 million he has left on his contract.
October 26, 2025

LSU Ends Brian Kelly Era, $53M Buyout Negotiations Underway

The Tigers fell to 5–3 after losing to Texas A&M.