Pelini Gets New Contract Worth $1.85 Million Annually
7 comments so far
March 30, 2009 by
The Lincoln Journal Star is reporting that Bo Pelini has a new contract as the Nebraska Head Football Coach. The new pact is set for $1.851 million, annually. This is a significant pay raise for Pelini, and moves him in to the middle of the Big 12 in terms of salaries for football coaches. Athletic director Tom Osborne cited the program's progress in Pelini's first year as the chief reason for the increase.
Pelini's initial contract paid him $1.1 million annually. The Huskers went 9-4 in his first year as coach. His record was at the top when it comes to first year coaches around the country. And the team was improved in several key areas. This merited a pay increase in Osborne's estimation.
For context, here is a list of the Big 12 football head coach salaries, in order:
1. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma, $3.8 million
2. Mack Brown, Texas, 2.75
3. Mike Leach, Texas Tech, 2.54
4. Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State, 2.2
5. (tie) Gary Pinkel, Missouri, and Bill Snyder, K-State, and Bo Pelini 1.85
8. (tie) Mike Sherman, Texas A&M, and Art Briles, Baylor, 1.8
10. Mark Mangino, Kansas, 1.77
11. Paul Rhoads, Iowa State, 1.15
12. Dan Hawkins, Colorado, $935,000
As you can see, the new contract puts Pelini at sixth in the conference in terms of pay for the Head Coach position. Personally, I think the raise has good merit. I also believe that Pelini's initial $1.1 million salary was justifiable at the time, because he had no head coaching experience.
Based on results so far and on the necessary perception of the NU football program, the raise was very much in order. For a school with the brand name that Nebraska has, you almost have to be at least in the top half to keep up with public perception. There is no shame for either the coach or the program in being in the middle of the pack on pay.
Perhaps more importantly, the Athletic Department will also increase the pay for the rest of Pelini's staff. Considering the amount of courting the staff has received from other schools already, this is an absolutely necessary move to help retain staff members.
Nebraska is also continuing to deal with the buyouts for both former AD Steve Pederson as well as former Head Coach Bill Callahan and members of his staff. Though, this pay increase should certainly serve as an indicator that the Husker program has some good financial health.
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Greg Morrow Mar 30 09
That's a substantial increase, almost 60%.
He should do the right thing and voluntarily give the raise to it's rightfull owners- the American entitlement sector. (Doh! wrong topic.)
Nice, though! You also read that the assistants will notch up, too.
He's not exactly "locked up," but at this point, I'm ready for anything, concerning the program.
You know, Osborne is a personnel guy. Meaning, he's got a good sense of what and who works for him. He had good, a few great, assistants he coached up, to coach up his good, a few great, athletes he and his coaches brought in.
I think he sees some of this going in, with Pelini's program.
He and the Chancellery could have so easily waited on this. This team this year, isn't going to a BCS bowl, though it may play for the conference championship.
To do this now, portends to Osborne's comfort level and satisfaction with team's direction.
I might also interpret this to mean that Osborne will step down after the season, barring a collapse of '07 proportions.
If that's how this shakes, Osborne will depart with another career defining job, well done.
JBLING22 Mar 30 09
Im sure that Pelinis new paycheck had more to do with the way he got the players to play, more than just the win column. He did a tremendous job getting guys to give everything they had, regardless if the talent or experience wasn't quite there yet... I think compared to other coaches this raise was acceptable, however I don't believe anyone deserves over a million for a coaching job, but thats another topic........
OU7times Mar 31 09
Congratulations!
Bo can use Bob Stoops 'old' piggy bank.
Heh,heh.
James Moore Mar 31 09
Classy move and merit based as well. Good for you Dr. Osborne and congratulations Coach Pelini!!! You most certainly earned it. I am very happy that the coaching staff was able to obtain a raise as well. This ensures stability and for all in Husker Nation a reason for a quiet, growing confidence to further grow. . .
tom Mar 31 09
Bo is now recession-proof!
Red in Colorado Mar 31 09
Of note is this was done without any agents involved.
So this kind of skews the salary rankings because Bo isn't paying a percetage of his "negotiated" salary to an agent.
It would be most interesting to see a "minus the payout to agents" adjusted ranking.
IMHO, the improvement of the defense alone justifies this contract restructuring, let alone the pretty much across the board improvements throughtout the football program.
It was also impressive that Bo won more than any other first year head coach and matched the most wins by experienced head coachs in their first year at a new school.
On sports nightly yesterday evening Dr. Tom talked about the importance of retaining the assistant coaches. He said it was a big help in recruiting in addition to not inturupting the continuity of practice.
I'm glad to see this happen, and extremely satisfied it was done old school--basically a hand shake between two men who's word is their bond.
Dwayne Mar 31 09
Red,
I was thinking the exact same thing as your first paragraph. Show me the money minus fees. I'm thinking about a career change. Any openings at any big time programs?