Is less than the cost of firing these pedestrian guys:
Buyouts:
Harsin - 15 million
Malzahn - 21.45 million
(36.45 million total not including assistants)
Top Coach Salaries:
Saban - 10.7 million
Smart - 10.2 million
Kiffin - 7.25 million
If you accept the premise that as long as AU does not have a big name HC, AU will have to constantly pay buyouts (I do). Then it does not make financial sense to keep hiring low-key names but instead to just grab an established coach in a bidding war if needs be with guys that are "poachable" or can be bought for the right price.
In other words. Pay Urban Meyer or Lane Kiffin and be done with it, but the upfront "cost" of a coach should not be a concern.
Buyouts:
Harsin - 15 million
Malzahn - 21.45 million
(36.45 million total not including assistants)
Top Coach Salaries:
Saban - 10.7 million
Smart - 10.2 million
Kiffin - 7.25 million
If you accept the premise that as long as AU does not have a big name HC, AU will have to constantly pay buyouts (I do). Then it does not make financial sense to keep hiring low-key names but instead to just grab an established coach in a bidding war if needs be with guys that are "poachable" or can be bought for the right price.
In other words. Pay Urban Meyer or Lane Kiffin and be done with it, but the upfront "cost" of a coach should not be a concern.
