Bush Hamdan gets a Big Raise with a Big Buyout

“Commitment” has been a topic of discussion in each of the first two conversations Bush Hamdan has had with the Big Blue Nation. We now know there has been a significant financial commitment from both Kentucky and Hamdan.

This is the fifth straight year Mark Stoops has undergone a coaching search, and like many of its predecessors, it came after the primary coaching carousel. Kentucky used a significant amount of money to hire a quality candidate while ensuring their investment is not for just one year.

Even though the contract has not been formally finalized, The Lexington Herald-Leader obtained the term sheet Hamdan signed earlier this week. Hamdan will make $1.25 million for the 2024 season. That increases to $1.35 million and $1.45 million over the three-year deal.

The deal is worth almost 3x what Hamdan was making at Boise State. He was set to be paid $460,000 in 2024.

That salary increase comes with a buyout worth more than his salary. If Hamdan leaves Kentucky prior to Dec. 1, 2025 — the end of his second season at UK — he will owe the school $1.5 million. That’s an extraordinarily high number. The buyout decreases to $250,000 following his second season.

Liam Coen was one of the highest-paid assistants in college football, raking in $1.8 million per year. Kentucky is saving some money and guaranteeing a certain level of commitment with a buyout other programs will not want to touch until after Hamdan spends at least two years at UK.

“I think there certainly had to be that commitment, I felt like, for him and I. I think it’s there,” Hamdan said on Thursday.

“As you know, in this day and age in college football more than ever, you got to take one day at a time. That’s the biggest thing. Today’s a big day. Tomorrow’s a big day. I also think I understand this is this is the SEC. These jobs don’t come open very often and I’m well aware of that. I have a lot of gratitude and having the opportunity to have this position, know the task at hand and I’m excited to be here.”

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