What is the buyout of Porter Moser, the head coach of the Oklahoma MBB?

In the world of college athletics, buyouts are a significant part of the landscape, particularly when it comes to coaching contracts. For programs like the Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball team, the buyout clause of their head coach plays an important role in understanding both the financial commitments of the program and the future direction of the team. As the Sooners continue to build their men’s basketball program under the leadership of Porter Moser, one of the questions that often comes up is about the terms of Moser’s contract, including his buyout clause.

Porter Moser has had a notable impact on Oklahoma’s men’s basketball program since taking over the head coaching position in 2021. His hiring was seen as a strategic move to revitalize a program that had experienced a mixture of success and underachievement in recent years. With a track record of success at Loyola-Chicago, including a stunning run to the Final Four in 2018, Moser was considered a strong fit to lead the Sooners back to the elite ranks of college basketball.

However, as with any major coaching change, there are important financial elements to consider, particularly when it comes to buyouts. These buyouts are part of a coach’s contract, allowing the school to terminate the agreement before its natural expiration under specific circumstances. For Oklahoma, understanding Moser’s buyout clause is key to evaluating the program’s long-term stability and the financial flexibility of the athletic department.

In this article, we will break down the details of Porter Moser’s buyout clause, its significance for the program, and the potential financial implications for both Oklahoma and Moser. We will also explore how the buyout fits into the broader landscape of college basketball coaching contracts and what it means for the future of the Oklahoma men’s basketball program.

The Signing of Porter Moser: A Strategic Move for Oklahoma

Before we dive into the specifics of the buyout, it is important to revisit how Porter Moser was hired by Oklahoma and what the expectations were when he took over. When Lon Kruger retired after the 2020-2021 season, Oklahoma was looking for a coach who could not only continue the program’s success in the Big 12 but also elevate it to a level where it could regularly compete for national championships.

Moser, who had been the head coach at Loyola-Chicago since 2011, became a household name in college basketball during Loyola’s incredible 2018 March Madness run to the Final Four. His ability to build a defensively stout, efficient team in the tough and competitive Missouri Valley Conference made him an appealing candidate for high-major programs like Oklahoma. His reputation for developing players, coaching strong defenses, and winning in the NCAA Tournament made him an ideal fit for a program like Oklahoma that was seeking a steady, experienced leader with a proven track record.

Moser was officially hired in March 2021, and while there was excitement surrounding the hire, there were also realistic expectations. It was understood that rebuilding a program like Oklahoma’s, particularly in the competitive Big 12, would take time. However, the promise of Moser’s system, his emphasis on defense, and his track record of success in a mid-major conference were enough to signal that the Sooners were heading in the right direction.

The Contract and Buyout Details

The specifics of Moser’s contract, including the buyout clause, are often not fully disclosed to the public, but some details have been made available through reports and sources close to the program. When Porter Moser was hired, he signed a six-year contract worth approximately $16 million in total. This contract was structured with an average annual salary of about $2.67 million, with additional incentives for performance-based achievements such as NCAA Tournament appearances, Big 12 titles, and NCAA Tournament victories.

The Buyout Clause is one of the most important elements of any coach’s contract, especially for a high-profile program like Oklahoma. The buyout is essentially the amount of money that a school or the coach would need to pay if either party decides to terminate the contract early. In Moser’s case, the buyout structure is likely staggered over the course of his contract.

Here’s a closer look at the details of the buyout:

Year-by-Year Buyout Structure

While the exact terms of Moser’s buyout are not readily available, industry norms suggest that Moser’s contract contains a gradually declining buyout structure. This means that the buyout amount would be highest in the early years of the contract and decrease in subsequent years.

1. Year 1 (2021-2022): The first year of Moser’s contract is typically when the buyout would be at its highest. If Oklahoma decided to part ways with Moser after his first year, they would have faced a significant buyout, possibly upwards of $10 million. This high buyout serves as a way to provide stability to the program and give Moser the time to implement his system and recruit players.
2. Year 2 (2022-2023): After the initial year, the buyout amount would likely start to decrease. While specific numbers are difficult to pinpoint, it is reasonable to assume that the buyout would drop to somewhere between $8 million and $9 million. This gives Moser a little more security in his second year while still allowing Oklahoma to have some financial flexibility.
3. Year 3 (2023-2024): By this point, the buyout would likely be lower still. The contract would likely allow for a more manageable exit if either Moser or Oklahoma decides to part ways. The buyout could be closer to the $6 million range, as the program would have invested enough time into Moser’s vision for the program to decide whether to keep him or move on.
4. Year 4 and Beyond: As Moser continues to build the program and results begin to come in, the buyout would continue to decrease. After four years, the buyout could be around $4 million to $5 million, making it more feasible for Oklahoma to part ways if they decide a change is necessary. However, by this point, Moser’s success would likely make it more difficult for the school to justify such a move unless things had gone drastically wrong.

What Happens If Moser Leaves?

One of the other significant factors in any coaching contract is what happens if the coach decides to leave on his own. In Moser’s case, it is likely that there is a clause in the contract that requires Moser to pay the university a portion of the buyout if he leaves before the contract ends. This is not uncommon in high-profile coaching deals, as it ensures that the coach has a financial disincentive to leave early unless it’s for a significant opportunity.

If Moser were to leave for another program, the buyout would likely kick in, with Moser needing to pay the university a portion of his contract. The amount could be based on the remaining years left on the deal, and the exact figure would depend on the negotiation between Moser and Oklahoma.

The Financial Impact on Oklahoma

The buyout structure of Moser’s contract is an important consideration for the Oklahoma Athletics Department when planning the future of the men’s basketball program. The Sooners have a proud basketball tradition, and they’ve made significant financial investments in the program, including the hiring of Porter Moser and the construction of state-of-the-art training facilities.

If Oklahoma were to decide to part ways with Moser, the buyout would put a strain on the athletic department’s finances, but it would not necessarily cripple the program. The Sooners’ basketball program generates significant revenue from ticket sales, TV contracts, and merchandise, which would help offset the buyout cost. Moreover, the university has a long history of financial strength and could afford the buyout, even if it meant a short-term financial setback.

However, the timing of such a decision would be critical. If the buyout remained high in the early years of the contract, Oklahoma would likely be more reluctant to make such a move, as it would be difficult to justify spending tens of millions of dollars to move in a new direction. Instead, they would likely give Moser time to build the program, with a strong focus on recruiting and player development.

How the Buyout Fits into the Broader College Basketball Landscape

Coaching buyouts are a significant part of the broader college basketball ecosystem, particularly at high-major programs like Oklahoma. As the sport continues to become more competitive, coaching changes have become more common, and buyouts have become a key factor in the decision-making process for athletic directors and school administrators.

The Porter Moser buyout is consistent with industry standards for a coach of his caliber, particularly given the stability he has brought to Oklahoma. While buyouts are often viewed negatively because they represent a large financial obligation, they can also be seen as a way to ensure that the program has time to implement a long-term vision and provide security for both the coach and the school.

For Oklahoma, the buyout is likely a calculated risk—a financial commitment that reflects the university’s belief in Moser’s ability to build a successful program. The Sooners’ investment in Moser signals their long-term vision for the team, and the buyout is a financial measure designed to protect both sides if things don’t go according to plan.