I think Kentucky this time will pony up the big bucks if they think they can hire Charlie Strong.
As any FYI, Kentucky already has ponied up a ton of money to be competitive in the SEC. Since Stoops got there, they have completely renovated the stadium, build an indoor practice facility, and also killer new locker rooms. Currently, the buyout for Stoops is the 6th highest in the SEC (which is actually why he won't get fired this year).
Nick Saban, Alabama
2016 Salary: $7.09 million
Buyout if fired after 2016 season: $23.3 million
Bret Bielema, Arkansas
2016 Salary: $4.06 million
Buyout if fired after 2016 season: $15.4 million before 2018; $7.9 million before 2020
Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M
2016 Salary: $5 million
Buyout if fired after 2016 season: $15 million (payable within 60 days of termination, nonetheless!)
Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss
2016 Salary: $4.7 million
Buyout if fired after 2016 season: Not disclosed, but the terms of his old contract suggest approximately $15 million
Kirby Smart, Georgia
2016 Salary: $3.75 million
Buyout if fired after 2016 season: $13.5 million
Mark Stoops, Kentucky
2016 Salary: $3.5 million
Buyout if fired after 2016 season: $12 million; With assistants, nearly $18 million
Jim McElwain, Florida
2016 Salary: $4.25 million
Buyout if fired after 2016 season: $11.25 million ($2.25 million for each remaining year of contract)
Butch Jones, Tennessee
2016 salary: $4.13 million
Buyout if fired after 2016 season: $10 million
Will Muschamp, South Carolina
2016 Salary: $3 million
Buyout if fired after 2016 season: $9.1 million (70% of annual guaranteed compensation left on contract)
Gus Malzahn, Auburn
2016 Salary: $4.35 million
Buyout if fired after 2016 season:
$8.95 million
Dan Mullen, Mississippi State
2016 Salary: $4 million
Buyout if fired after 2016 season: Remainder of unpaid salary (Exact figures undisclosed, but believed to be around $8.5 million)
Les Miles, LSU
2016 Salary: $4.39 million
Buyout if fired after 2016 season:
$6.4 million
Barry Odom, Missouri
2016 Salary: $2.35 million
Buyout if fired after 2016 season:
“An aggregate amount equal to all earned but unpaid annual salary and incentives, accrued benefits, reimbursement of incurred expenses and unused vacation.”
Derek Mason, Vanderbilt
2016 Salary: Not disclosed (Vanderbilt is a private institution)
Buyout if fired after 2016 season: Not disclosed (Vanderbilt is a private institution)
http://kentuckysportsradio.com/football-2/comparing-mark-stoops-buyout-to-the-rest-of-the-sec/