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It was one of the first questions Bob Shoop was asked after being introduced as the new defensive coordinator at Tennessee.

Who will be footing the bill for the buyout clause in his contract at Penn State?

“The buyout is something I’m going to resolve with Penn State,” Shoop said in January 2016. “I’d like to keep it at that.”

A year-and-a-half later, his former employer is reportedly still waiting.

According to PennLive.com, Penn State is suing its former defensive coordinator for breach of contract, claiming Shoop still owes $891,856 for leaving the Nittany Lions for the same position at Tennessee shortly after the 2015 season.

Shoop, who was hired along with head coach James Franklin in January 2013, had negotiated a new deal with Penn State after receiving overtures to lead for LSU following his first season in Happy Valley.

His contract stipulated that if he left for something other than a head coaching job, he would have to pay 50 percent of his base pay for the remaining term — in this case, two years.

Tennessee officials said at the time of Shoop’s hiring that he would handle the buyout with Penn State. Shoop reportedly makes $245,000 in base pay with the Volunteers along with $905,000 in supplemental pay.

The suit was originally filed in Centre County court in June, according to PennLive, but it was transferred to U.S. Middle District Court on Monday.

Shoop has been regarded as one of the top defensive coordinators in the country thanks to his work with Franklin at both Vanderbilt and Penn State. He spent two seasons with the Nittany Lions.

Franklin promoted linebackers coach Brent Pry to replace Shoop. Pry became Penn State’s fifth full-time defensive coordinator in six years.

According to a PennLive report, Penn State is seeking close to $1 million from former defensive coordinator Bob Shoop for breach of contract.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_shoop-UT201618155354883-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAccording to a PennLive report, Penn State is seeking close to $1 million from former defensive coordinator Bob Shoop for breach of contract. Bruce Lipsky | AP file photo, The Florida Times-Union

By Derek Levarse

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Reach Derek Levarse at 570-991-6396 or on Twitter @TLdlevarse