Tennessee's Josh Heupel is the newest $5 million dollar man
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has become the newest 5 million dollar man in the SEC.
Following the Vols 7-6 season in year one, Heupel has received a million dollar raise. The head coach’s amended contract runs through Jan. 31, 2028 with a guaranteed salary of $5 million annually.
Heupel’s salary of $5 million still puts him roughly 11th in the SEC in compensation based on published reports of salaries of head coaches in the league.
Heupel’s buyout should he leave is $8 million if he leaves before December 15, 2023 and it drops $2 million a year accordingly after that.
The head coach’s bonus structure remains unchanged from his original contract. Heupel’s bowl bonus structure ranges from $100,000 for making a bowl game up to $500,000 for winning the national championship game. He also has incentives for making the SEC Championship game, coach of the year honors, academic progress achievements and finishing ranked.
Heupel would receive $50,000 if his team finishes the year ranked in the top 25, $100,000 if in the top 10, and $150,000 if in the top 5.
Tennessee’s assistant coaching payroll for the 2022 season is $6,855,000 after raises and one year extensions were awarded ahead of the current season.
Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks and offensive coordinator Alex Golesh both have three year contracts that expire in January of 2025.
Golesh’s salary is 1.2 million, a hefty raise from the $750,000 he made in year one with the Vols.
Tim Banks will make $1.5 million this season. He made $1.4 million in 2021.
The rest of Heupel’s assistant coaches are on two year deals.
| Coach | New salary | 2021 salary |
| Mike Ekeler, special teams coordinator | $475,000 | $350,000 |
| Glen Elerbee, offensive line | $800,000 | $750,000 |
| Rodney Gerner, defensive line | $700,000 | $550,000* |
| Joey Halzle, quarterbacks | $400,000 | $350,000 |
| Brian Jean-Mary, linebackers | $590,000 | $550,000 |
| Jerry Mack, running backs | $425,000 | $400,000 |
| Willie Martinez, defensive backs | $465,000 | $425,000 |
| Kurt Schmidt, head strength coach | $400,000 | $375,000 |
Kesley Pope’s contract numbers have not been made available at this time. Pope was promoted to the wide receiver coaching position back in February when Kodi Burns left to take the receivers job with the New Orleans Saints in the NFL.
Tennessee returns home to Neyland Stadium Saturday night as they host the Akron Zips at 7pm. The Vols are looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 2016.
