The value owed doesn't change the decision needed to terminate now. The 'royally sucks' factor to terminate immediately is higher but decision to do what is best for program should not factor into decision at all.
Money for buyout exist. T-Joe-L needs to up the % of tuition used for athletics the same as LaTech. No other fiscal move required to create funding needed to fire immediately. The dollars for buyout exist, just need the intestinal fortitude to match the Techsters & make it an immediate priority.