TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It is a well-established fact that Alabamians value college football above pretty much any other form of recreation. The week revolves around Saturday, rivalries build friendly office tensions all season long, and heaven forbid a bride decide to get married on a Saturday in the fall (#BanFallWeddings). Yes, we value college football, but did you know that the coaches at the University of Alabama and Auburn University, Nick Saban and Gus Malzahn didn’t receive largest performance bonuses last year?
That particular honor went to Missouri Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel, who earned $900,000 in bonuses on top of his $3,768,889 base pay despite being defeated by Saban’s Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship 42-13.
To be fair, Saban’s relatively modest bonus of $425,000 still brings his total compensation to more than $7.5 million, and Malzahn’s $125,000 bonus makes his paycheck $4.2 million.
Nationwide, Saban is the highest paid college football coach in the nation, while Malzahn came in at #13.
Here’s how the bonuses and base salaries for the 14 SEC team’s coaches stacked up this year:
(Note: as a private school, Vanderbilt isn’t required to publish their coaches’ salaries)
Saban’s bonuses were awarded for appearing in the College Football Playoff, winning the SEC Championship, and having high academic outcomes among his players. Malzahn’s bonuses were for appearing in a bowl game and players’ academic success.
Like this article? Hate it? Follow me and let me know how you feel on Twitter!
— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.