Michigan contract details: Wink Martindale the highest-paid coordinator in CFB, Tony Alford's compensation, more
The Michigan Wolverines sought to assemble an elite coaching staff around head coach Sherrone Moore for his first year on the job. And the early returns appear to be just that when it comes to the money it took to secure some of them.
Multiple media reports on Thursday afternoon, first reported by Austin Meek of The Athletic, revealed that new defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale is the new highest-paid coordinator in college football. He will make an average of $2.5 million over the next three years with base salaries of $2.3 million in 2024, $2.5 million in 2025 and $2.7 million in 2026. LSU’s Blake Baker agreed to a similar contract earlier this offseason, tying the two in average salary.
Last season, Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley was the highest-paid assistant in the country at $2.05 million.
Other notable contract news from Thursday, via The Detroit News’ Angelique Chengelis, includes financial details on new running backs coach/run game coordinator Tony Alford. Michigan will pay the former Ohio State assistant $850,000 over the next three seasons, a raise from his $772,000 salary with the Buckeyes.
The salary is over $300,000 more than what former running backs coach Mike Hart made last season in Ann Arbor. Hart’s contract expired upon the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Michigan linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary, who previously spent one season in Ann Arbor in 2020, signed a three year deal that pays him $900,000 this season, $925,000 in 2025 and $950,000 in year three. General manager Sean McGee is set to make $350,000 in 2024, $360,000 in 2025 and $370,000 in the third year of his deal.
Other new info includes what now-resigned defensive line coach Greg Scruggs would have made in Ann Arbor. Prior to his OWI arrest and departure from the program, he was set to make $650,000 in 2024 and $750,000 in 2025.
Previously reported deals include offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell, who signed a three-year deal worth $3.05 million. It expires after January 2027. He made $350,000 as quarterbacks coach last season. Campbell will make in $950,000 in 2024, $1 million in 2025 and $1.1 million in 2026.
Offensive line coach Grant Newsome will make $600,000 this year after signing a two-year contract with the Wolverines. Wide receivers coach/ pass game coordinator Ron Bellamy recently signed a new two-year deal that pays him $600,000 in 2024 and $650,000 in 2025, up from the $375,000 he was set to make under his previous deal.
Special teams coordinator J.B. Brown will make $350,000 each of the next two seasons. Tight ends coach Steve Casula signed a two-year contract that pays $400,000 each of the next two seasons.
Moore signed a contract that goes over five years and pays him $5.5 million in base salary this season with the potential to earn up to $3.5 million more in bonuses. His annual salary will increased by 2% each year in addition to a $500,000 retention bonus after each season.
Incentives in Moore’s contract include additional compensation for a Big Ten Championship game appearance ($250,000) and a Big Ten Championship win ($500,000). Michigan will pay him an additional $200,000 if it makes the first round of the 12-team College Football Playoff, including if it has a first-round by. For a quarterfinal appearance, Michigan will pay out an additional $300,000. A semifinal and national title game appearance will pay out $500,000 and $750,000, respectively. He will bank an additional $1 million if the Wolverines win a national title.
