When Arkansas fired Sam Pittman after a disastrous loss to Notre Dame, the move seemed straightforward. But what happened next caught everyone’s attention.
Pittman, who loved Arkansas and wanted a clean break, negotiated a smaller buyout than his contract required. He walked away with less money than owed, saving the school about $2 million.
Why that matters for Kentucky
Because in Lexington, the biggest storyline around football isn’t Saturday’s box score, it’s Mark Stoops’ contract buyout.
Right now, Kentucky would owe Stoops up to $40 million if they fired him this year, and per contract language, it must be paid within 60 days. That’s not just high, it’s crippling.
The buyout effectively makes Stoops untouchable. Even if Kentucky lost every SEC game, the financial penalty of firing him could outweigh the cost of keeping him.
The Pittman precedent
Pittman’s choice suggests something important: even when a coach holds all the leverage, sometimes compromise is in everyone’s best interest.
Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek on firing Sam Pittman (11–22 in SEC play since the NIL era began):
— Matt Mosley (@MosesMosley) September 30, 2025
“Coach Pittman did not have the resources he needed to appropriately compete in this conference.”
Who is responsible for making sure the head coach has those resources?
If NIL,… pic.twitter.com/nARm77pIHT
Why?
- Coaches don’t want to live miserable lives under constant fan criticism.
- Schools don’t want to burn budgets on buyouts that drain resources.
- Both sides benefit from a clean exit.
If Pittman can negotiate down, Stoops might eventually do the same — especially if fan discontent grows unbearable.
What could a negotiation look like?
Baseball does it all the time, where they sign a crazy contract and then structure payments over a period of years. For example, Bobby Bonilla hasn't played a game since 1999 for the Mets, and yet they send him $1.2 million annually and will do so until 2035, as a buyout for a remaining salary of $5.9 million, meaning he will make around $30 million.
- Spreading payments over 5–10 years instead of one lump sum.
- Partial settlement tied to future employment.
- Continuation of salary rather than a massive check.
Why Stoops might say yes
Right now, Stoops holds all the cards. But if empty seats, dwindling ticket sales, and public hostility make Lexington miserable, the money may not be worth the pain. He may not even be able to go out and enjoy Jeff Ruby's.
For Kentucky fans, Pittman’s decision is a reminder: even “ironclad” buyouts can bend under the right pressure.
If Kentucky keeps sliding, do you think Stoops would ever take less to walk away?
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion