LONDON, England — Kansas football’s 2026 regular season hasn’t gotten off to the best start.
The Jayhawks (1-2, 0-1 in Big 12 Conference), after winning their opener at home against LIU, have dropped back-to-back games. KU lost at home against now-No. 22 Missouri earlier this month, and then overseas in London against Arizona State on Saturday. While there’s still so much of the season left to play, Kansas finds itself in dire need of a momentum-building victory.
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But regardless of how the rest of the season plays out, starting with KU’s next game Oct. 3 at home against Middle Tennessee, what would it cost Kansas to move on from head coach Lance Leipold after the regular season comes to an end? As of Dec. 1, 2026, what would be the buyout required? Here’s more information on that.
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If KU decides to terminate Leipold without cause on Dec. 1, 2026, it would owe Leipold about $17.9 million. The amount would be paid out monthly over the course of 12 months. There is the potential for an offset, should Leipold take another job in college, professionally in the NFL, or at a sports-related organization like in media, and Leipold’s contract outlines he agrees to search for employment in good faith at a fair market value as soon as possible.
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After starting a rebuild with the 2021 season, the Jayhawks reached bowl games in both 2022 and 2023 as the program enjoyed a resurgence. The Jayhawks won the bowl game in 2023, too. But in both 2024 and 2025, KU struggled and ended up finishing 5-7 overall each time.
Kansas has an open week coming up before the regular season continues Oct. 3 with a non-conference game at home against Middle Tennessee. Big 12 play then resumes for the Jayhawks on Oct. 10 on the road against No. 17 Utah. While KU should come away with a win against Middle Tennessee, the schedule quickly becomes difficult again.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: What is Kansas football coach Lance Leipold’s buyout this year?
