How much would it cost to fire Dabo Swinney? Clemson coach's contract buyout, salary
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Clemson football was embarrassed on national TV in Week 1 of the college football season as LSU absolutely demolished it, 51-10, in Lane Kiffin's debut.
After the game, Kiffin told ABC his scout team scored as many points on LSU as Clemson did.
“It was about the same score,” Kiffin said.
Woof.
Clemson entered the season ranked No. 23 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, but it will be a while before we see a number next to the Tigers' name. Swinney's team, fresh off a 7-6 season, is looking at another long year ahead of it after the worst loss of his career.
While the Tigers might not face another team the caliber of LSU this season, there are plenty more tests ahead on the schedule, including a suddenly staunch defensive team in North Carolina; defending national runner-up Miami; a reinvigorated Virginia Tech, under the new leadership of James Franklin; and the always-dangerous rivalry with South Carolina.
With that in mind — and the sting of Saturday's loss still fresh for the Tigers — here is a look at how much it would cost the Tigers to buy out the remainder of Swinney's contract:
Dabo Swinney Clemson contract buyout
Swinney's buyout at Clemson would amount to $57 million if the university fired him without cause on or before Dec. 31, 2026, according to a copy of his contract obtained via USA TODAY Sports.
If Clemson fired Swinney without cause beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, the money due to him would be "the sum of the remaining base salary and supplemental compensation that would otherwise have been due" to him, plus an amount equal to the royalties that would have been payable to the licensing company.
Swinney does not have a duty to mitigate damages, which would be paid out either in equal installments over the remainder of his contract, or in a lump sum within 90 days of termination. The contract stipulates it will be paid in monthly installments if termination occurs before Dec. 31, 2027.
Dabo Swinney salary, contract details
Per Swinney's contract, he receives a base salary of $305,000 per year, as well as performance bonuses and supplemental compensation. Here is a look at what he is owed in the latter category over the remainder of his contract, beginning with the 2026 college football season:
- 2026: $7.695 million
- 2027: $7.695 million
- 2028: $7.945 million
- 2029: $8.195 million
- 2030: $8.445 million
- 2031: $8.695 million
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How much would it cost to fire Dabo Swinney? Clemson coach's contract buyout, salary
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