Unveiling the Financial Landscape of Tennessee's Coaching Staff
Assistant Coach Pay Across College Football
Ohio State leads the pack in assistant coach pay with a whopping $11,425,000. Georgia follows closely at $10,332,000, and Clemson is not far behind at $9,675,000. Alabama is also in the top tier with $9,475,000, while Michigan, LSU, Texas, Florida State, Oregon, Utah, Ole Miss, Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas A&M, Washington, Oklahoma, Michigan State, and Missouri complete the top 20. Tennessee, with its $7,135,000, holds its own among these giants. Only half of the 12 teams in the College Football Playoff make it to the top 20 in assistant payroll. Tennessee (10-2), set to play Ohio State (10-2) on Dec. 21 (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN) in Columbus, Ohio, in a first-round CFP game, shows its mettle in this financial arena.The Vols' assistant coaches are compensated based on their roles and expertise. Tim Banks, the defensive coordinator, ranks 21st nationally among assistant pay with a base salary of $1.5 million. He is one of 15 semifinalists for the Broyles Award, a prestigious honor given annually to the top assistant in college football. This reflects his significant contribution to the team's defense.
Glen Elarbee, the offensive line coach, earns $900,000. Rodney Garner, the defensive line coach, also receives $900,000. Joey Halzle, the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, makes $850,000. William Inge, the linebackers coach, is paid $720,000. Mike Ekeler, responsible for special teams and outside linebackers, gets $575,000. Kelsey Pope, the wide receiver coach, earns $550,000. Willie Martinez, the secondary coach, is paid $540,000. De’Rail Sims, the running backs coach, makes $350,000. Alec Abeln, the tight ends coach, receives $250,000. These figures give a clear picture of how Tennessee values each of its primary assistant coaches.
Head Coach and Football Analyst Pay
Head coach Josh Heupel earns $9 million in school pay, excluding bonuses. He is in a four-way tie for fifth in the SEC with Kentucky's Mark Stoops, Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin, and Missouri's Eliah Drinkwitz. Football analyst pay is not included in these figures. UT pays 13 full-time analysts $1,133,960, which trails only Texas A&M ($1,705,018) and LSU ($1,158,000) in the SEC.This breakdown of salaries showcases the financial aspects of Tennessee's coaching setup. It provides valuable insights into how the university allocates resources to its coaching staff and how it competes with other top programs in the country.
As Tennessee continues to strive for success on the football field, the financial aspects of its coaching staff play a crucial role. The salaries of these coaches not only attract top talent but also reflect the university's commitment to building a competitive program. With the upcoming game against Ohio State, the focus will be on how Tennessee's coaching staff can lead the team to victory and maintain its position in the college football landscape.