Top 25 largest buyouts for college football head coaches in 2025

As coaching salaries rise in college football, so do the buyouts. USA Today has released its updated data for the largest buyouts in the sport for 2025.

One head coach has a six-figure buyout if the school was to part ways, as of Dec. 1. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart tops the list at $105.1 million, followed by Ohio State head coach Ryan Day at $70.9 million. From there, another group of coaches sit at around $60 million, including Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer and Texas’ Steve Sarkisian.

All figures are the buyouts due as of Dec. 1, 2025. Here are the Top 25 largest buyouts for college football head coaches, according to USA Today.

1. Kirby Smart, Georgia – $105.1 million

College football’s highest-paid coach, Kirby Smart also has the largest buyout in the sport at $105.1 million. That figure is part of a 10-year, $130 million deal he signed in 2024.

Smart has two national championship rings at Georgia and led the Bulldogs to an SEC title last season. UGA is currently 4-1 in 2025, fresh off a bounce-back victory over Kentucky last time out.

2. Ryan Day, Ohio State – $70.9 million

Fresh off his first national championship as head coach, Ryan Day received a new contract at Ohio State. He’s not only the second-highest paid coach in the game, but also has the second-largest buyout at $70.9 million.

Day has a career 75-10 record at Ohio State and has led the program to 11 wins each season, outside of the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. The Buckeyes haven’t missed a beat this year with a 5-0 record after multiple major changes on the roster and coaching staff.

3. Kalen DeBoer, Alabama – $60.8 million

When Kalen DeBoer took over for Nick Saban at Alabama, he landed a salary of more than $10 million per year. He also has a $60.8 million buyout, which sits as the third-largest in college football.

Alabama went 9-4 in DeBoer’s first year in Tuscaloosa in 2024 and started off this year with a loss to Florida State. However, the Crimson Tide turned things around since to take a 4-1 record into Week 7, including a road win at Georgia.

4. Steve Sarkisian, Texas – $60.3 million

Earlier this year, after Texas made a second straight national semifinal, Steve Sarkisian received a new contract. It also adjusted his buyout, which is now worth $60.3 million and the fourth-largest in college football.

Sarkisian’s new deal also makes him the fifth-highest paid coach in college football with a $10.8 million salary. Texas has had an up-and-down start to 2025, taking a 3-2 record into Week 7 and falling out of the AP poll following a loss at Florida.

5. Dabo Swinney, Clemson – $60 million

The fourth-highest paid coach in college football, Dabo Swinney also has the fifth-largest buyout. At $60 million, he’s one of five coaches at that mark.

Swinney has had an up-and-down go through his 18th season at Clemson with a 3-2 record, including losses to LSU and Georgia Tech. The Tigers put on a show last week against North Carolina, though, as they look to stay in the ACC race.

6. Mike Norvell, Florida State – $58.7 million

At Florida State, Mike Norvell has college football’s sixth-largest buyout at $58.7 million. He adjusted his annual salary ahead of 2025, though, following a two-win campaign last year.

As a result of his restructured contract, Norvell’s salary is $5.7 million this year, which ranks 45th in college football. He made sweeping coaching staff changes as he brought in new OC Gus Malzahn and DC Tony White, an FSU has a 3-2 record entering Week 7.

7. Dan Lanning, Oregon – $56.73 million

Earlier this year, after Oregon won a Big Ten title in its debut season, Dan Lanning received a new contract through 2030. His buyout is also among the 10 largest in college football, sitting at $56.7 million as of Dec. 1.

Despite major roster turnover, Oregon has emerged as one of the top teams in the country this year with a 5-0 record and statement win at Penn State. A big matchup awaits this week, though, as the Ducks take on Indiana out of the bye.

8. Curt Cignetti, Indiana – $56.70 million

Indiana HC Curt Cignetti — © Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After engineering an immediate turnaround at Indiana, Curt Cignetti received a huge new contract. His buyout now ranks among the highest in college football at $56.7 million.

IU made the College Football Playoff one year after 3-9 record under the former regime. The Hoosiers are once again looking the part to start 2025, taking a perfect 5-0 record into this week’s marquee matchup against Oregon in Eugene.

9. Brian Kelly, LSU – $53.3 million

The fourth-largest buyout in the SEC, Brian Kelly’s figure sits at $53.3 million as of Dec. 1. That’s part of a 10-year deal he signed with LSU in 2021 after leaving Notre Dame.

Kelly has a 33-12 record with the Tigers, including back-to-back 10-win seasons to start his tenure. The program hasn’t made the College Football Playoff under his watch, though, but is seen as a possible contender this year.

10. Matt Rhule, Nebraska – $49.6 million

Rounding out the 10 largest buyouts in college football, Matt Rhule’s figure at Nebraska sits at just under $50 million. Rhule signed an eight-year deal with the Cornhuskers in 2022, and the program is off to a strong start to 2025.

Nebraska is 4-1 so far this year after ending its bowl drought last season. Rhule is looking or a second straight season above .500 in Lincoln as he continues to turn the Huskers program around.

Largest buyouts: 11-25

11. Bret Bielema, Illinois – $49.5 million
12. James Franklin, Penn State – $48.7 million
13. Mark Stoops, Kentucky – $37.7 million
14. Josh Heupel, Tennessee – $37.5 million
15. Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss – $36.6 million
16. Brent Venables, Oklahoma – $36.2 million
17. Matt Campbell, Iowa State – $35.4 million
18. Jedd Fisch, Washington – $33.7 million
19. Jeff Brohm, Louisville – $33.633 million
20. Deion Sanders, Colorado – $33.625 million
21. Jonathan Smith, Michigan State – $33 million
22. Chris Klieman, Kansas State – $29.6 million
23. Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri – $28.9 million
24. Shane Beamer, South Carolina – $27.9 million
25. Luke Fickell, Wisconsin – $27.5 million

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