If you bring him back, you should make him sign a new contract in which his buyout is massively reduced next season. Say 5 mil instead of 15 mil, but also greatly rewarding him for performance. Say $1,000,000 bonus for 8+ wins, $2,000,000 bonus for a West division title, $2,000,000 for B1G Championship, $2,000,000 for a playoff spot. Make him bet on himself, if he's as close as he preaches every week - he will jump on the opportunity to be the highest paid coach in the country after bonus checks. If he balks at he idea, then he probably isn't buying the stuff he's trying to sell in his pressers each week.