According to reports on Monday, Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin could be close to landing the open Houston head coaching job.

However, some national reporters are pumping the brakes on those reports, noting that there may be a snag in the contract talks.

The issue? A buyout clause in Kiffin’s potential contract, which would force him to pay the school if he wanted to leave before his contract was up:

My information is the buyout Houston would want wouldn't be to Kiffin and Jimmy Sexton's liking.End game out West for Lane.LSU O/C in play. — Tim Brando (@TimBrando) December 5, 2016

Sexton usually doesn't do big buyouts like that https://t.co/p5imwOTUR6 — Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 5, 2016

Jimmy Sexton is the agent for college coaches like Nick Saban, Jimbo Fisher, Hugh Freeze, Will Muschamp and others. If the Cougars want to land Kiffin, they’ll likely have to soften their stance and give in to Sexton’s demands.

If Houston refuses to bend, Kiffin has other options, including rumors linking him to the offensive coordinator job on LSU coach Ed Orgeron’s staff.