Kentucky's new deal with Eric Wolford includes massive buyout

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops decided to get the Youngstown band back together in Lexington when he made a move this month that not many saw coming. Despite signing Zach Yenser to a one-year contract extension after the 2023 regular seasons, Stoops decided to make a move to bring Eric Wolford back to Lexington after he became a free agent following Nick Saban‘s retirement at Alabama.

The terms of the new deal have been released. According to the Herald-Leader’s Jon Hale, Kentucky has inked the new offensive line coach to a two-year deal. The Wildcats will pay Wolford $350,000 in 2024 and $800,000 in 2025. The low number in 2024 is likely due to the amount of money that Alabama still owes the 52-year-old coach. Where things get interesting is with the buyout portion of the contract.

“According to the term sheet signed by Wolford on Friday, the assistant coach would owe UK $500,000 for each year remaining on his contract if he leaves Lexington for another coaching job again,” writes Hale. “Wolford’s contract has not been finalized and released by UK’s Office of Legal Counsel, but the term sheet, which outlines the parameters of that contract, was obtained by the Lexington Herald-Leader through the state’s open records law.”

Offensive coordinator Liam Coen — who also left Kentucky after one season during his first stint with the program — is the only other football assistant coach with a buyout greater than $150,000 per year. Kentucky has a contingency plan.

The University is on the hook for the $650,000 salary to Yenser that will have to be paid in full unless the former assistant takes another coaching job. If Wolford decides to jet early again, his new employer will be on the hook for a half million dollars. The former Alabama assistant was set to make $925,000 in 2024 before becoming a free agent.

Daikiel Shorts contract info released

We are still waiting for Eric Wolford’s contract to become official, but the other hire this offseason has been locked in. UK’s Office of Legal Counsel has released the contract for new wide receivers coach Daikiel Shorts.

The former West Virginia wide receiver and Houston assistant has agreed to terms on a two-year deal with Kentucky that will pay the new hire $300,000 in 2024 and $315,000 in 2025. Shorts’ buyout drops from $500,000 to $150,000 after his first year with the University of Kentucky.

We now know what each Kentucky assistant will make in 2024.

• Liam Coen: $1.8 million
• Brad White: $1.6 million
• Vince Marrow: $1.3 million
• Mike Stoops: $675,000
• Jay Boulware: $550,000
• Anwar Stewart: $500,000
• Frank Buffano: $415,000
• Chris Collins: $400,000
• Eric Wolford: $350,000
• Daikeil Shorts: $300,000

Collins, Boulware, and Marrow are entering the final years of their contracts with Kentucky. Buffano, Stewart, and Mike Stoops each signed extensions with Kentucky this offseason.