College football is on its way to perhaps the most chaotic season of coaching changes in recent history. Changes have come almost weekly, with LSU’s expensive decision to part with Brian Kelly following an embarrassing home loss to Texas A&M the latest in a cycle that has already seen changes at Penn State, Florida and a handful of other top programs. With already well over $100 million committed in head coach buyouts before the calendar flips to November, any newfound fiscal responsibility referenced in last year’s quiet cycle to respond to the revenue-sharing era has quickly vanished.
It’s likely though that these mega buyouts are just the beginning of a massive spending spree. Bidding wars for top coaches will require huge salary commitments, but also increased staff pools for things like expanded front offices and other key staff positions. Wooing candidates will also require strong compensation pools for player acquisition, both via revenue sharing under the House settlement and any potential above-the-cap NIL deals schools can conjure up. The implications of this impending arms race will shake entire athletic departments, including their basketball programs.
