Tommy Lloyd buyout, contract details as Arizona Wildcats coach

Tommy Lloyd is one of the highest-paid coaches in college basketball. He signed a one-year contract extension in April 2025, keeping him with the Wildcats through the 2029-30 season. The new deal increases his compensation to approximately $4.4 million annually with $700,000 for additional duties in the first two years, rising by $250,000 annually afterward, plus a $2 million retention bonus, according to the school. 

Lloyd is scheduled to receive a $2 million retention bonus if he remains in good standing as of April 1, 2028. This is on top of the numerous bonuses and incentives available to achieve. 

Arizona was the last major undefeated team in college basketball during the 2025-26 season. The Wildcats are now 34-2 running into a Sweet 16 matchup with John Calipari and Arkansas. Now Lloyd's name has been linked to several high-profile job openings. Arizona is 146-35 over the past five seasons under the big-time coach.

Tommy Lloyd buyout terms

If Lloyd went to another college program, Arizona would be owed $11 million before April 15, 2026. That sum decreases annually. 

If Lloyd leaves (College Job):
Before April 15, 2026: $11 million.
Before March 31, 2027: $9 million.
Before March 31, 2028: $6 million.
Before March 31, 2029: $3 million.

If Lloyd is fired without cause, he would be owed 100% of the remaining contract value. That's roughly $25.5 million as of April 1, 2026. 

What Lloyd brings to Arizona

Here was what Arizona athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois said in a statement when Lloyd inked his new deal.

"In this time of transformational change in college athletics, we are pleased to add a contract year providing Coach Lloyd, his family and the university with additional certainty," Reed-Francois said. "Coach Lloyd has demonstrated the ability to lead our program on the court, to ensure our student-athletes' academic success and to recruit young men of good character. Our storied men's basketball program is in good hands under Coach Lloyd's direction." 

More college basketball news:

• Darryn Peterson situation not alarming to NBA teams, ESPN insider says
• AJ Dybantsa makes college basketball history never done by NBA stars
• John Calipari says college athletics is broken — Here’s his plan to fix it
• March Madness upset predictions for 2026 NCAA men’s basketball bracket
• Where Arkansas Darius Acuff Jr. ranks among John Calipari's best NBA guards