How much would it cost each Big Ten school to buy out their current coach's contract?
We know which Big Ten coaches are being paid the most this season, but which coach has the top buyout cost?
Some fanbases will be more interested in these numbers than others, for good reasons, and it is fun to see which schools are either all-in on not losing their head coach to another coaching opportunity and which are having some buyer's remorse with their current contract terms. Penn State fans, I'm looking at you right now.
Below is a look at the Big Ten's highest buyout costs as of Dec. 1, 2025. Three schools -- Northwestern, UCLA, and USC -- do not have buyout information available at this time, so they are not included in this list. Each coach's buyout cost national ranking is also noted.
1. Ryan Day, Ohio State (No. 2 nationally)
- School buyout: $70,916,667
Ryan Day certainly changed his outlook with a run to a national championship last season. Otherwise, Ohio State boosters may have been prepared to break the bank to consider moving on after another frustrating loss to Michigan last season.
2. Dan Lanning, Oregon (No. 7 nationally)
- School buyout: $56,733,333
With the backing of Phil Knight, no amount for a buyout may be considered too expensive for Orgeon, but Dan Lanning's job is about as safe as they come after running to a Big Ten title last season and having the Ducks looking capable of taking another step forward this season.
3. Curt Cignetti, Indiana (No. 8 nationally)
- School buyout: $56,700,000
Following a surprising debut season in Bloomington that resulted in a trip to the College Football Playoff, Indiana quickly reworked Curt Cignetti's contract going into his second season. With that came a loaded buyout that ensured plenty of job security for Cignetti.
4. Matt Rhule, Nebraska (No. 10 nationally)
- School buyout: $49,612,500
Nebraska is all in on Matt Rhule to transform Nebraska into a College Football Playoff-caliber program. Given his track record at Temple and Baylor, and the early results shown in Lincoln, Nebraska is on the way. And they do not want to lose him.
5. Bret Bielema, Illinois (No. 11 nationally)
- School buyout: $49,491,667
Illinois is seeing the results it expected under Bret Bielema. The Illini are investing in its football success with a coach who had a solid reputation for success at Wisconsin previously.
6. James Franklin, Penn State (No. 11 nationally)
- School buyout: $48,666,667
Perhaps the most notable buyout among Big Ten coaches right now, James Franklin is likely not going anywhere just yet. Penn State's buyout of just under $49 million is still too steep to make any changes, if the school's leadership actually feels it is necessary.
7. Jedd Fisch, Washington (No. 17 nationally)
- School buyout: $33,686,666
After luring Jedd Fisch away from a former Pac-12 rival, Washington put in a decent buyout cost in the contract. Fisch got a solid pay raise in moving from Arizona to Washington, thanks in part to Washington's expected future revenue stream in the Big Ten.
8. Jonathan Smith, Michigan State (No. 20 nationally)
- School buyout: $33,033,125
Michigan State was able to avoid a buyout with its former head coach and has provided some financial job security for Jonathan Smith in the same process. Smith's buyout assures he will be given some time to revamp the program in the coming years.
9. Luke Fickle, Wisconsin (No. 24 nationally)
- School buyout: $27,493,333
Another key buyout price that is coming into more and more conversation is Luke Fickel's at Wisconsin. With the Badgers struggling to establish any consistent positive momentum on the field and in the win column, the future of Fickel at Wisconsin is becoming a serious topic of conversation.
10. P.J. Fleck, Minnesota (No. 25 nationally)
- School buyout: $26,600,000
Minnesota's investment in P.J. Fleck has led to more positive results than negative, although it may be challenging to get much more out of the program at a certain point. Minnesota won't be expected to be considering any coaching changes any time soon as Fleck is well respected. But could Fleck leave on his own for another opportunity?
11. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa (No. 26 nationally)
- School buyout: $25,729,167
The contract status of Kirk Ferentz at Iowa has been mocked for a number of years, and more power to him. Ferentz is under contract at Iowa through the 2029 season and the program may be willing to wait it out.
12. Barry Odom, Purdue (No. 27 nationally)
- School buyout: $25,125,000
A newcomer to the Big Ten, Purdue head coach Barry Odom takes over a low-pressure job situation and will be given time to build up the Boilermakers. Purdue's buyout cost is moderate, but likely will not be needed any time soon.
13. Greg Schiano, Rutgers (No. 29 nationally)
- School buyout: $23,735,156
Rutgers is a school willing to give Greg Schiano all the support in the world. There is a reason they brought him back for a second run with the program. The buyout cost is affordable should the school have a change in heart, but Schiano will be far more likely to call his shots as he sees fit for as long as he desires.
14. Sherrone Moore, Michigan (No. 35 nationally)
- School buyout: $13,897,916
Michigan has the most economical buyout in the Big Ten at the moment, especially with the resources Michigan has at its disposal, mostly because Moore took over the program following Jim Harbaugh's departure to the NFL. If he continues to stick around, then this buyout will likely get reworked along with the rest of his contract, and probably within the next year.
15. Mike Locksley, Maryland (No. 41 nationally)
- School buyout: $13,395,417
The cheapest buyout on record in the Big Ten belongs to Maryland. Once a bit cash-strapped, thus the desire to jump to the Big Ten from the ACC, Maryland has a school-friendly buyout in place with Mike Locksley. Locksley is under contract through the 2027 season, and a tough end to the 2025 season could fire up some conversations about his future. That makes this buyout price one to keep an eye on toward the end of the year unless Maryland turns in a winning season.
Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Ranking 2025 Big Ten football coaching buyouts from highest to lowest
Category: General Sports
