Considering he’s never been a head coach at the Division 1 level, Dana Holgorsen is sure as hell going to get paid like one.
The details of Holgorsen’s unofficial contract with West Virginia have been released and the numbers show that the new offensive coordinator/coach-in-waiting will be receiving far greater compensation than his successor, Bill Stewart.
And we mean far greater.
As an offensive coordinator in 2011, Holgorsen will receive $750,000 -- $200,000 less than Stewart in his final year.
In his first season as head coach (2012), Holgorsen’s salary will nearly double to $1.4 million and increase by an additional $250,000 each year through 2016, where it caps off at $2.4 million. The whole deal guarantees Holgorsen $10.75 million.
But wait, there’s more.
Holgorsen will also have the chance to secure upward of $600,000 per year in bonuses and incentives, including $100,000 for 10-win seasons, $125,000 for 11 wins and $200,000 for 12 wins. That’s double what Stewart would receive for those same achievements.
Holgorsen also stands to make $100,000 in bonuses for a Big East Championship and $150,000 for a National Championship. The six-year deal could max out at $14.275 million.
Look, I’m all for paying someone what they’re due, especially if they get results, but there is a lot of money (and faith) being poured on to a guy who has never even been a head coach.
Contracts can be renegotiated. High -- and often unfair -- expectations that come with large salaries cannot.
(Big thank you to the Charleston Gazette)