Prying a defensive coordinator away from an SEC football program didn’t come cheap for Louisville.
By way of a public records request, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported Monday that new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham will earn $975,000 in 2014. As Georgia’s coordinator in 2013, Grantham pulled in$850,000.
In mid-January, it was officially announced that Grantham would be a part of Bobby Petrino’s second first staff with the Cardinals.
Last season, Grantham was fifth among all FBS assistant coaches in total pay; his UofL salary would’ve put him fourth. This year, however, he will be the sixth-highest paid, at best. After earning $600,000 in 2013, LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron‘s pay jumps to $1.3 million in 2014 and then $1.5 million in 2015. Additionally, new Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is expected to exceed $1 million in annual pay when the details of his three-year contract are released later this offseason.
Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris, for those interested, was the highest-paid assistant last season at $1.3 million. Alabama’s Kirby Smart at just a shade over $1.15 million was the highest-paid defensive coordinator.
One final note from the Courier-Journal: Petrino’s two coordinators -- Grantham and offensive coordinator Garrick McGee -- will make $1.625 million; Charlie Strong‘s coordinators made just over $1 million in his last season with the Cardinals before leaving for the Texas job.
(Tip O the Cap: the Athens Banner-Herald’s Marc Weiszer)
(Photo credit: Louisville athletics)