Not sure how it works with football coaches Mike, but most university employees either contribute to the state pension system usually hourly employees), or participate in an external program such as TIAA-CREF (faculty & administrators). It would be analogous to someone paying into a life insurance policy over the years. It's a contractual obligation, and unless there is some sort of moral turpitude provision, he's due the money. Of course, it won't do him much good in prison, but his family will still need money to live on.