Ross Bjork explains how Texas A&M will pay Jimbo Fisherâs $75 million buyout
Perhaps the only thing bigger than the news that Texas A&M fired Jimbo Fisher is that the football coach is owed roughly a $75 million buyout.
On Sunday, Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork met with reporters and explained how the university will pay off what is now the biggest contract buyout in college football history.
In fact, it is more than triple the largest known given to a fired head coach.
RELATED: Bjork explains what he’s looking for in next coach
Bjork said 25 percent of what Fisher is owed — about $19 million — is due within 60 days and the first of several installments of about $7 million must be paid within 120 days.
“We will use unrestricted contributions within the 12th Man Foundation for the first one-time payment and the athletic department will fund the annual payments for the remaining portion by growing our revenues and adjusting our annual operating budget accordingly,” he said.
Bjork acknowledged the buyout is “monumental.”
“Although this is a major, major financial decision that comes with many consequences, we have a plan and we will not let this impact the performance or the culture of our entire athletics program,” Bjork said.
RELATED: Bjork on conversation he had with Fisher
Auburn paid out more than $21 million when it fired Gus Malzahn after the 2020 season.
Fisher was in his sixth year at Texas A&M, where he signed a then-record 10 year, $75 million contract after leaving Florida State at the end of the 2017 season. The Aggies are 45-25 in that time, but just 27-21 in the SEC and have never won the SEC West.
Texas A&M is 6-4 this season after a 51-10 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday. The Aggies finish the regular season with a non-conference game against Abilene Christian next Saturday, then travel to LSU on Nov. 25.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.