Fired University Coaches Could Cost $18 Million: Report

PHOENIX, AZ – When the University of Arizona fired head coach Rich Rodriguez earlier this week, they followed their cross-state rivals, Arizona State University in making a change. The decision could cost the schools more than $18 million.

Both Rodriguez and ASU coach Todd Graham were fired with years left on their contracts.

As Patch reported, Rodriguez will receive $6.3 million since his contract runs through May, 2020. If the school had waited much longer, it could have cost them around $3 million more.

The Arizona Republic reports that Graham – whose contract runs through June, 2021 – will receive $18 million.

The paper states that both coaches will receive their money even if they take coaching jobs elsewhere.

The chairman of the state Board of Regents Bill Ridenour tells the Republic that the regents are working to make sure that doesn't happen again.

When ASU hired Herm Edwards to replace Graham, the paper says that the regents told the school to include a clause that would limit how much Edwards received under certain circumstances.

Photo of Rodriguez via Christian Peterson/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images