Matt McMahon’s position at LSU has reached a breaking point. Entering his fourth season, the Tigers are coming off another losing SEC campaign, and pressure from fans and new athletic leadership has intensified. LSU has invested heavily in rebuilding its programs, and McMahon’s lack of tangible progress makes his buyout a growing topic of conversation around Baton Rouge.
Matt McMahon Contract
McMahon signed a seven-year contract on March 25, 2022, running through June 30, 2029. The deal included a one-year extension trigger to 2030 if pre-hire NCAA penalties were deemed severe enough, though that clause hasn’t been activated. His agreement pays a modest base salary supplemented by escalating performance pay each year.
Matt McMahon Salary
McMahon will earn $2.9 million in the 2025-26 season, placing him in the lower-middle tier among SEC head coaches. His pay rises by $100,000 each year through 2028–29. The structure is steady but unremarkable, and his lack of postseason success has prevented him from triggering any of the performance bonuses built into the deal.
Yearly Pay (Base + Supplemental)
- 2025–26: $2.9 million
- 2026–27: $3.0 million
- 2027–28: $3.1 million
- 2028–29: $3.2 million
Incentives
- $400,000 signing bonus within 30 days of contract execution
- $35,000 relocation payment plus temporary housing for up to 14 days
- $25,000 for reaching 20 regular-season wins
- $50,000 for 25 wins
- $25,000 for SEC Coach of the Year
- $50,000 for National Coach of the Year
- $50,000 for meeting the team’s APR benchmark
- $50,000 for reaching the NCAA Tournament
- $100,000 for reaching the Sweet 16
- $150,000 for reaching the Final Four
- $250,000 for winning the national championship
- $75,000 for an SEC regular-season or tournament title
Matt McMahon Buyout
McMahon’s buyout is significant but not untouchable. If LSU fires him without cause, the school owes 80% of his remaining base and supplemental pay, paid monthly over the remainder of the contract. That figure decreases each season, lowering the financial hurdle to make a change if results don’t improve.
Estimated Buyout (if LSU fires him)
- After 2024–25: $9.76 million
- After 2025–26: $7.44 million
- After 2026–27: $5.04 million
- After 2027–28: $2.56 million
If McMahon Leaves LSU
- $2.0 million if leaving before June 30, 2026
- $1.0 million if leaving before June 30, 2027
- $500,000 if leaving before June 30, 2028
- $0 after June 30, 2028
Why McMahon is on the Hot Seat
- Records by year: 14–19 (2–16 SEC), 17–16 (9–9 SEC, NIT), 14–18 (3–15 SEC)
- Three-year total: 45–53 overall, 14–40 SEC, no NCAA appearances
- Heavy roster turnover with limited on-court identity
- Leadership changes and buyout scrutiny make patience less likely
McMahon is the favorite to be the first coach fired in 2025 and there’s good reason why. McMahon’s tenure hasn’t met expectations. The SEC’s depth provides some cover, but LSU’s slide toward the bottom and the absence of meaningful postseason play have fueled frustration.
The athletic department’s new direction and a buyout dipping below 10 million make his job far less secure. To survive, LSU needs a competitive SEC record and postseason relevance this year — anything resembling last season’s 3–15 campaign could end his run before next summer.
