When College Football coaches are fired, the first question that runs through everyone's mind is: How much was the buyout? For Mark Stoops, who was fired earlier this afternoon, the answer is here. Stoops was in his 13th season at the helm of the Wildcats.
In the midst of this week’s Lane Kiffin saga, Pete Thamel and On3's Pete Nakos both confirmed that Kentucky fired Stoops on Sunday evening.
Mark Stoops' buyout details revealed
As for the buyout, Chris Low reported on X that Stoops was never in a position to leave Kentucky on his own terms. However, during discussions about a mutual separation, Stoops expressed willingness to negotiate an agreement that would allow Kentucky to spread the payments over several years, rather than requiring a lump sum payment within the contract's 60-day period. The buyout amount is $38 million.
Stoops was never going to walk away on his own, but when Kentucky approached him about a separation, he said he would be willing to negotiate an agreement allowing UK to spread out payments over a number of years instead of paying $38 million buyout within 60 days of his firing. Https://t.co/VvxPDDLTrp
— Chris Low (@clowfb) December 1, 2025
This season, buyouts in college football have reached an unprecedented total of $200 million, with the largest buyout by far still belonging to Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher at $78.6 million. Brian Kelly follows with a $53.8 million buyout from LSU.
More college football news:
- Lane Kiffin contract details: How much money LSU is paying coach to leave Ole Miss
- Lane Kiffin announces long-awaited decision on coaching future
- Lane Kiffin leaves Ole Miss for LSU: Why coach spurned playoff-bound Rebels for Tigers
- Who is Pete Golding? Meet Ole Miss' new head coach tasked to lead Rebels in CFP without Lane Kiffin
- Pete Golding named as head coach at Ole Miss to replace Lane Kiffin