After three years of no bowl games (including back-to-back 5-7 records), Kentucky coach Mark Stoops entered the 2016 season as one of the many college football coaches on the hot seat.

Starting 0-2 certainly hasn’t helped that seat get any cooler, but it’s the way the Wildcats have lost their first two games that has put Stoops’ contract buyout on the list of trending topics in the SEC. Kentucky opened the new campaign by squandering a 25-point lead against Southern Miss and then suffered its 30th straight loss to Florida this past weekend, getting blown out 45-7.

UK has been outscored 72-7 over the last six quarters. So about that buyout, right? Well, sit tight, Big Blue Nation — this may surprise you.

According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, it could potentially cost the university close to $18 million to make a coaching change this offseason.

All of Stoops’ assistant coaches except one have contracts guaranteed through June 30, 2018. Assistant head coach for offense Eddie Gran is the exception; his deal runs through June 30, 2019.

So if Kentucky removed Stoops and assistants following the current season, the university could be on the hook for some $17.898 million in payouts.

(For the assistants, the buyout figures could be mitigated if they subsequently took other jobs, releasing UK from having to pay some or all of the contract guarantees).

UK’s steep financial commitment to Stoops was cemented on Oct. 29, 2014, when Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart signed the then-second-year football coach to a six-year, $21.5 million contract extension.

Stoops enters his Week 3 non-conference matchup against New Mexico State (1-1) with a 12-26 (4-21 SEC) record in his three-plus years in Lexington. After the rough start, ESPN’s FPI predicts the ‘Cats to finish the 2016 season with just two wins — this weekend vs. the Aggies, and a late-November matchup with FCS Austin Peay.

If Kentucky can turn things around and find a way to reach the postseason for the first time since 2007, all will be forgiven. However, another year in the SEC East gutter would set the table for a rather difficult decision for Barnhart and company.