Clemson has just announced it has handed Dabo Swinney the richest coaching contract in college football history.

Swinney agreed to a 10-year deal worth $93 million in total money should he stay at Clemson for the next decade. Why $93 million? That decision was likely made due to the fact Nick Saban is scheduled to earn an average of $9.3 per year at Alabama through 2025.

Interestingly enough, that wouldn’t be the only clause in Swinney’s contract that has to do with Alabama. Swinney’s new deal contains buyout figures if the coach decides to leave Clemson. In addition to the agreed upon figures, Clemson wrote special buyouts into the deal if the coach decides to leave the school for Alabama.

Here is the complete buyout breakdown in Swinney’s new Clemson contract.

Swinney’s buyout figures

  • $4 million through Dec. 31, 2020
  • $3 million through Dec. 31, 2022
  • $2 million through Dec. 31, 2025
  • $1 million through Dec. 31, 2026
  • No buyout after Dec. 31, 2027

Swinney’s buyout figures if he leaves for Alabama

  • $6 million through Dec. 31, 2020
  • $4.5 million through Dec. 31, 2022
  • $3 million through Dec. 31, 2025
  • $1.5 million through Dec. 31, 2026
  • No buyout after Dec. 31, 2027

Considering Clemson just agreed to pay Swinney $93 million, those buyout figures look to be reasonable if Alabama ever decides to come calling. While that’s been speculated upon for years now, it’s interesting to know that Clemson specifically protected itself and increased Swinney’s buyout if he leaves the school for his alma mater.