I have not seen the contract but believe you are incorrect. I’ve heard and read that the buyout is all ‘guaranteed’ compensation which far exceeds the base salary.
He is guaranteed $1.1 million for each of first 3 years and $1.25 million for years 4 and 5. That is an additional $4.7 million of money he is guaranteed.
The very definition of guaranteed is an obligation to pay. The article even states the contract provides that Sawvel collects all guaranteed money if he is fired early without cause. The article uses the word guaranteed when it defines both guaranteed and base earlier.
Jay Sawvel, who will replace Craig Bohl as Wyoming's head coach following the Arizona Bowl, has signed a five-year, $5.8 million contract.
trib.com