In October 2025, the University of Wisconsin-Madison made headlines when it parted ways with head football coach Paul Chryst, agreeing to a significantly reduced buyout of $11 million. This amount was substantially lower than the approximately $20 million remaining on his contract, which was set to run through January 2027. The funds for this buyout were sourced from the University of Wisconsin Foundation, the school’s fundraising organization, and were to be paid by February 1, 2023 citeturn0search1.
Chryst’s tenure at Wisconsin began in 2015, and over the course of seven seasons, he achieved a 67–26 record, leading the team to multiple bowl games and earning Big Ten Coach of the Year honors twice. Despite these accomplishments, the 2022 season started with a 2–3 record, prompting Athletic Director Chris McIntosh to make the decision to terminate Chryst’s contract citeturn0search2.
The financial implications of this coaching change were significant. The University of Wisconsin athletic department reported expenses exceeding $167 million for the 2022–23 fiscal year, surpassing the budget by over $19 million. A substantial portion of this overage was attributed to the coaching change, including the buyout payment to Chryst and increased salaries for the new coaching staff citeturn0search0.
Following Chryst’s departure, Wisconsin appointed defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2022 season. The decision to move forward with a coaching change underscored the university’s commitment to maintaining a competitive football program and aligning with the expectations of its stakeholders.
In summary, the $11 million buyout of Paul Chryst’s contract marked a pivotal moment in Wisconsin’s football program. While the financial commitment was substantial, the university’s actions reflected a strategic decision aimed at revitalizing the team and positioning it for future success.
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