NORMAN — As the Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball team moves deeper into the season, all eyes are on head coach Porter Moser, especially considering the financial implications surrounding his tenure. If the university chooses to part ways with Moser after this season, the calculated buyout would round up to about $7.65 million. That figure represents the remaining financial commitment to him through his contract, which is set to expire on June 30, 2028.
What’s noteworthy is that if Moser secures another coaching position before his contract concludes, the Sooners would not be on the hook for the remainder of that buyout. Just a year ago, the buyout was notably higher, pegged at about $10.2 million, emphasizing the shifting landscape around his employment status.
A closer look at his contract reveals an annual progression in financial commitments: $3.3 million in 2026, $3.4 million in 2027, and rounding it out with $3.5 million in 2028. This layered financial structure indicates the university’s investment in Moser, despite the team’s recent struggles.
In a somewhat unexpected gesture given that Moser has not yet guided the Sooners to an NCAA Tournament berth in his first three seasons, he received a raise of $100,000 to his additional and outside income back in June. If the Sooners miss the tournament this year, it would mark a concerning milestone: the first time since 1978 that the program failed to qualify for March Madness in four consecutive seasons.
Athletic Director Joe Castiglione reflected on the rationale behind the salary adjustment, highlighting it as a recognition of Moser’s efforts and the leadership he has provided. “It was definitely important to show coach Moser that we appreciate him and what he’s providing in leadership,” Castiglione explained. While the disappointment of missing the NCAA Tournament looms large, he pointed out that the circumstances leading to those misses were filled with unusual challenges not typically seen in the lead-up to March Madness.
Moser’s coaching journey includes impressive milestones, having led Loyola Chicago to the Final Four during the 2017-18 season and the Sweet 16 in 2020-21. His experience brings high expectations, both from the program and its passionate fanbase. As the Sooners look towards the conclusion of this season, the dialogue around Moser’s future will be closely watched, not only for its financial implications but also for what it may signal about the direction of the Sooners’ basketball program.
