How Many Football Coaches Is Auburn Still Paying

Let’s talk about Auburn football. But not the wins and losses. Forget the plays and the players. We’re talking about something way more interesting: ghost paychecks.

Yes, Auburn is still paying coaches who haven’t coached a single snap there in years. It’s like a sports version of a retirement home, except everyone is still very busy collecting money.

How many coaches is Auburn actually still paying right now? The number is wild. Buckle up.

Meet the Buyout Club

At last count, Auburn is paying at least five former head coaches and coordinators. These aren’t assistant water boys. We’re talking big names with big contracts.

The main character is Bryan Harsin. He was fired in 2022 after just 21 games. Auburn is still cutting him checks—millions of them—through 2025. It’s the coaching equivalent of a long-term subscription you forgot to cancel.

Then there’s Gus Malzahn. He left for UCF in 2020, but Auburn is still paying him a buyout. That buyout? It runs through 2027. Yes, 2027. That’s longer than most marriages last in college football.

The Quirky Math

Here’s a funny detail: Auburn is currently paying more fired coaches than active coaches. Think about that. The team on the field has fewer people on the payroll than the people sitting at home in sweatpants.

The total buyout number is staggering. In 2023 alone, Auburn paid out roughly $12 million to people who didn’t coach a single game. That’s more than some entire athletic departments spend in a year.

Why do they do this? Because college football contracts are basically divorce settlements. You can break up, but you still pay alimony. And Auburn is the ultimate ex who won’t stop sending Venmo requests.

The All-Stars of the Ghost Payroll

Let’s name the roster of the “Auburn Ghost Coaches.” Besides Harsin and Malzahn, there’s Kevin Steele (former defensive coordinator, still owed money) and Chad Morris (former offensive coordinator, ditto).

Don’t forget Travis Williams. He left for UCF but Auburn still owes him part of his buyout. It’s like a reunion of coaches who all share one thing: they’re getting paid to do nothing.

Auburn fires Hugh Freeze as college football buyouts hit $182 million

The wildest part? Some of these guys are now coaching at other schools. Malzahn is at UCF. Williams is at Arkansas. They’re getting double paychecks. It’s the American Dream, Auburn-style.

The Fun Fact That Will Blow Your Mind

According to some reports, Auburn’s buyout commitments total over $50 million in future payments. That’s enough to buy a small island. Or a private jet. Or a lifetime supply of lemonade from the Toomer’s Corner stand.

Here’s the kicker: Auburn fans are paying for this. Every ticket you buy, every jersey you purchase, every donation you make—part of it goes to a guy who hasn’t been in the state of Alabama since 2021. You’re basically funding Harsin’s next vacation.

But don’t feel too bad. This happens everywhere. Texas A&M, LSU, and USC all have similar “shadow staffs.” Auburn just has a special talent for making it dramatic.

Why This Topic Is So Much Fun

It’s fun because it’s absurd. College football is a billion-dollar industry, yet it operates like a messy family feud. Firing a coach isn’t a clean break. It’s a messy divorce with lawyers and alimony and awkward Thanksgiving dinners.

It’s also fun because it’s relatable. Ever pay for a subscription you forgot about? Ever break up with someone but still split the rent for six months? Welcome to Auburn football. It’s the same energy, just with more millions.

And finally, it’s fun because it shows how weird loyalty is in sports. Auburn loves its coaches—even after they’re gone. They just love them from a distance, with a check in the mail.

The Big Question

So, how many coaches is Auburn still paying? At least five key figures, with more than a dozen other smaller buyouts scattered around. The exact number changes every month as payments run out or new ones pile up.

How much is Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze's buyout in 2024?

But here’s the real question: Will Auburn ever stop paying? Probably not. The buyout machine is a monster that feeds itself. Every new coach comes with a new contract, and every firing creates a new ghost on the payroll.

In a way, Auburn has created a permanent coaching alumni fund. These guys will be collecting checks when you’re a grandparent. It’s a job for life—without the actual job part. Pretty sweet gig, right?

What This Means for You

If you’re an Auburn fan, you can brag about your team’s generosity. “Hey, we take care of our own,” you can say. Even if “our own” includes the guy who went 9-12.

If you’re a neutral fan, you can laugh. Because this is funny. It’s a reminder that billion-dollar sports are still run by humans who make mistakes. And those mistakes cost a lot of money.

If you’re a kid dreaming of being a college coach? Go for it. Even if you get fired, you’ll be set for life. Just make sure your agent writes a good buyout clause.

The Bottom Line

Auburn is still paying a small army of former coaches. The number is fluid, but it’s always more than you think. It’s a bizarre, hilarious, and totally normal part of college football.

Next time you watch an Auburn game, remember: there are people on the sideline who are coaching for free. And there are people on their couch who are getting paid for nothing. That’s the real Auburn spirit.

So raise a glass to the ghost payroll. To Bryan Harsin, Gus Malzahn, and everyone else enjoying early retirement. May their buyout checks never bounce.

And may Auburn’s accountants never sleep.