It has practically turned into a punchline across college athletics: the most enviable job in the sport might be that of a recently dismissed football coach cashing a buyout check. The humor lands because it is rooted in reality. When multimillion-dollar contracts are negotiated — often by powerful agents such as Jimmy Sexton — the safety nets are enormous. Even when results fall short, those buyout clauses ensure coaches walk away wealthier than ever.
For Auburn, this storyline feels all too familiar. Over the past several years, the Tigers have parted ways with three head coaches, each leaving with a substantial payout. The sequence began in 2020 when Gus Malzahn was let go after eight seasons at the helm. His departure came with a $21.5 million buyout. While the program ultimately chose to move on, Malzahn’s tenure was hardly a failure. He delivered consistent winning seasons, captured an SEC Championship, reached the BCS National Championship Game, and made another trip to Atlanta for the SEC title game. In hindsight, some Auburn supporters might have reconsidered their impatience given what followed in the ensuing years.
Auburn leads the SEC with three head coaches earning major buyouts over the last six years
The next chapter unfolded when athletic director Allen Greene opted to think outside the box, hiring Bryan Harsin away from Boise State to replace Malzahn. The move was widely viewed as a gamble. Harsin had no prior SEC experience, and adapting to the conference’s intensity proved challenging. His tenure unraveled in less than two full seasons, plagued by mounting issues that included a losing record, recruiting struggles, and strained relationships with high school programs. Auburn ultimately cut ties, paying Harsin $15.3 million as he exited the Plains and returned to Idaho.
Hugh Freeze followed, introduced in December 2022 by John Cohen amid considerable optimism. Early signs suggested progress. Freeze guided Auburn to a bowl appearance in his first season and secured consecutive top-10 recruiting classes, fueling hopes of a resurgence. However, momentum stalled midway through his third year. A disappointing 10-3 home defeat to Kentucky at Jordan-Hare Stadium proved to be the decisive blow. Freeze’s tenure concluded with a $15.8 million payout.
While those sums are dwarfed by other eye-popping SEC buyouts — Texas A&M’s $77 million to Jimbo Fisher, LSU’s $54 million owed to Brian Kelly, and Kentucky’s $38 million commitment to Mark Stoops — Auburn stands alone in the league for the sheer number of coaches it has compensated to depart in recent years.
The hope around the program now is that the cycle finally ends with Alex Golesh.