I-TEAM: College football buyouts reach record $228 million in 2025 as fans demand reform

Lane Kiffin's unexpected move from Ole Miss to LSU in December 2025 sparked significant dissatisfaction among Ole Miss fans, who expressed feelings of betrayal over his departure to an in-conference rival. This event occurred during a record-breaking year for college football coach buyouts, with universities paying $228 million to fired coaches. LSU's decision to hire Kiffin followed the firing of Brian Kelly, who was let go after a poor performance against Texas A&M, resulting in a $54 million buyout, the second largest in college football history.

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) accounted for a substantial portion of this financial burden, with $138.6 million paid for buyouts of five coaches in 2025. Notable buyouts included Kentucky's Mark Stoops at $38 million and Florida's Billy Napier at $21 million. The nationwide impact of these buyouts was significant, with total payments compared to funding a full Harvard freshman class with tuition, room, and board.

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