Heupel's UCF contract includes high buyout, innovative provisions

Scott Frost left UCF after two seasons. Willie Taggart, hired today by Florida State, coached at Oregon just one season.

UCF doesn't want to see a repeat scenario with newly-hired coach Josh Heupel.

According to the terms in the memorandum of understanding, UCF will be owed a buyout of $10 million if Heupel departs prior to the 2020 bowl game.

Here are the highlights of the deal:

-Heupel will receive a five-year contract, worth $1.7 million in annual guaranteed compensation. This mirrors Frost's initial salary in 2016.

-Here's where things get innovative: Heupel will also receive "25 percent of incremental growth from 2017 in football full-season ticket sales and per-seat donations." This gives Heupel even more of a vested interest to market himself and the program.

-Heupel is eligible for up to $250,000 in annual bonsues for academic and athletic performance.

-The staff salary pool will be $2.5 million.

-If UCF is to dismiss Heupel without cause, the buyout is 50 percent of the remaining contract.

-If Heupel is to leave UCF for another position prior to the 2020 bowl game, the buyout is $10 million. If he departs after the 2020 bowl, the buyout becomes 50 percent of the remaining contract value. This all but ensures Heupel won't go anywhere for the next four years, given the majority of coaching transitions take place before bowl season.

-However, the buyout would drop to 50 percent of the remaining compensation should Danny White no longer be UCF AD.