Baylor, Maryland and NC State have each fired their football coach, triggering buyouts totaling about $32 million. Baylor’s Dave Aranda is owed a reported $12 million, Maryland’s Mike Locksley about $9.75 million and NC State’s Dave Doeren approximately $10.3 million. The payouts and contract terms vary, with some obligations due quickly and others potentially reduced if a coach finds another job.

By the Numbers
  • Baylor: approximately $12 million for Dave Aranda.
  • Maryland: approximately $9.75 million for Mike Locksley.
  • NC State: approximately $10.3 million for Dave Doeren.
Yes, But

The listed buyouts may not be the final cost. Doeren’s contract requires him to make reasonable efforts to find another job, which could reduce NC State’s obligation; Maryland’s payout has no offsets if Locksley takes another job.

State of Play
  • Maryland owes half of Locksley’s buyout within 60 days.
  • NC State owes Doeren a little more than $600,000 within 30 days, with the balance payable monthly.
  • Early names linked to the openings include Spencer Danielson and Jeff Traylor at Baylor, and Philip Rivers at NC State.
Bottom Line

Changing coaches carries a steep price: these three programs face roughly $32 million in combined buyout costs, even as they begin the search for replacements.