Per Auburn’s prez, more than half of the money in Gus Malzahn’s new contract is guaranteed, which means that the buyout figure is at least $24.5 million.
AL.com reports that it’s way more than half the money.
AL.com has learned that 75 percent of the money in the contract is guaranteed, and while there are a few minor details to be worked out, that percentage is not still in negotiation. Like all the major details, it’s been agreed upon by both sides.
In other words, should Auburn fire Malzahn at some point in the next seven years for losing too many games, it would owe him 75 percent of the remaining value of the contract.
For example, if he were let go with three years and $21 million left on the deal, Auburn would owe him 75 percent of that amount or $15.75 million. That’s an approximation because the contract isn’t structured as a flat $7 million a year but as a graduated amount. The average is $7 million a year over seven years.
In addition, AL.com has learned there is no offset or mitigation language in the contract. That means the amount of money Auburn would owe Malzahn should it dismiss him would not be reduced by any salary he would make at his next job.
Holy shit, Batman. And this for a guy who has to get past Alabama, LSU and Georgia every year just to make it to the SECCG.
That’s some trust, brother.
Get The Picture 
This will not end well for the Barners. Pass the popcorn, these two deserve each other.
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I wonder if, post Peach Bowl, the barners are feeling buyer’s remorse yet?
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I would bet they set in 4th quarter of SECC.
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I know some Barners quite well and I know they do–already.
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$24.5M guaranteed? What on earth.
What are they going to do if he puts up two 9-win seasons in a row? (Which is likely).
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He only missed that by one this season and Auburn played 14 games. I see lots of 8-4/7-5 regular seasons in Auburn’s future.
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Next year, for example, they open up with Washington at M-B Stadium in Atlanta. They still have to play LSU, ATM, Georgia and Bama. Plus, they still could get upset by a team like Missy State that has a lot of good players coming back off a 9 win season. I really don’t like their chances of getting even 10 wins again.
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Auburn panicked after Gus best us and Bama, which coincided with the Arkansas ‘rumors’ put out there by his agent. No coach in his right mind leaves AU for Ark; but if he wanted to do just that, AU should have smiled, helped to pack his bags, and wished him well in Fayetteville…all while thanking their lucky stars that they are off the hook for any payouts.
Now they are stuck with a coach who is a mediocre at best recruiter who runs a goofy offense that isn’t conducive for developing NFL ready talent. All with the greatest coach in CFB history up the road and another next door that is building a monster in a crucial state for recruiting. IMO, AU is screwed.
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It seems I’m arguing a lot today but Gus is more than a mediocre recruiter. His classes are consistently in the top 10-15. Whether or not he gets max output from those classes is another discussion. On one point we agree. Auburn is screwed.
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Top 10-15 doesn’t get it done in the SEC. Richt recruited better than that and look what it got him.
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Richt recruited a LOT better than that.
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CMR has lost control of Auburn’s financial bearing.
This just seems to be a situation ripe for the quoting of proverbs.
I couldn’t begin to post all that come to mind, but here’s my top two.
“A fool and his money are soon parted”
“Stupid is as stupid does”.
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“Two things are infinite, the university and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.”–Albert Einstein
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Starting to think AU athletics department is as dumb as UT,
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And 4 of awbie’s best underclassmen opted for the draft – Holland, Davis, Kerryon & Pettway.
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You can bet your sweet bippy that every single breath Gus takes will be recorded in case they need cause somewhere along the line.
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I’m going to love it when they go 8-5 next season.
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Without that all senior OL I look for Stidham to take a step backwards this year, he should have declared for the draft too imo.
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I hate AU but I will play devil’s advocate. Gus beat the shit out of us and Bama last year. That’s 2-1 against the 2 best teams in the country. Not too shabby. In fact that’s the only game I’m worried about this year. Don’t write Gus off just yet.
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Hope Jay Jacobs’ retirement gift is half-as-nice as the one he gave Auburn.
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$7m per year is worth it if Gus can coach every game in JHS. He doesn’t get that luxury this year in his 2 biggest games. Saban and Smart are probably both already looking to put a beatdown on Gus.
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