Alabama had the highest paid technical team in the country a year ago and it was nowhere near. The $ 8.85 million paid to 10 coaches exceeded the runner-up Ohio State by almost one million.
Well, those numbers are expected to drop by 2021.
The departure of the country’s highest-paid assistant, Steve Sarkisian, contributed to a reduction in wages for new Crimson Tide hires, according to the memorandums of understanding signed with the school.
Documents obtained through public record requests show that Alabama’s five new assistants will collectively earn $ 1,465 less than those who preceded them.
The former Houston Texans coach and Tide’s new offensive coordinator will earn $ 1.1 million in 2021. That’s $ 1.4 million less than Sarkisian’s $ 2.5 million salary in 2020.
Only one of the five will earn more than its predecessor. Former Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Marrone will receive $ 755,000 a year – $ 105,000 more than Kyle Flood earned last year before leaving to join Sarkisian’s team in Texas.
Coach Jay Graham’s salary for new tight limits / special teams will be $ 130,000 less than Kyle Flood’s, while the other two drops are significantly less. Jay Valai will receive $ 25,000 less than Karl Scott to train secondary, while Robert Gillespie’s salary is $ 15,000 less than Charles Huff’s.
| Job | 2021/2020 | 2021 payment | 2020 Payment | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OC | O’Brien / Sarkisian | $ 1,100,000 | $ 2,500,000 | – $ 1,400,000 |
| OL | Brown / Flood | $ 755,000 | $ 650,000 | $ 105,000 |
| YOU | Graham / Banks | $ 595,000 | $ 725,000 | – $ 130,000 |
| DB | Valai / Scott | $ 525,000 | $ 550,000 | – $ 25,000 |
| RB | Gillespie / Huff | $ 535,000 | $ 550,000 | – $ 15,000 |
| $ 3,510,000 | $ 4,975,000 | – $ 1,465,000 |
Both Flood and Banks received considerable increases to go to Texas. Flood, now Sarkisian’s offensive coordinator, will earn $ 1.1 million, The Texas Tribune reported last week. He won $ 650,000 in Tuscaloosa last year. Banks rose to $ 1 million from $ 795,000 in Alabama in 2020.
Whether the overall pay for the entire Alabama technical team will decrease depends on the business situation for coaches who have returned since 2020. Assistants generally receive salary increases after a national title, but this did not come before compensation from the committee of trustees until now.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or in the Facebook.