Two SEC college football coaches already racking up big money in bonus pay
A football head coach in the Southeastern Conference who wins eventually is going to end up with a longer-term contract that pays him more money, as Alabama’s Nick Saban and Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher have shown this year.
But Arkansas’ Sam Pittman and Kentucky’s Mark Stoops have it in writing.
Pittman already is making that work this season, and Stoops is close to doing so.
With or without the pandemic-related pay reduction that affected his compensation for part of this year, Pittman is the second-lowest-paid football head coach at an SEC public school this season.
And his scheduled total of $3 million (not including the $75,000 reduction) puts him $1 million behind the coaches immediately ahead of him, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz and Tennessee’s Josh Heupel.
The Razorbacks’ success this season will allow Pittman to close that gap in the future while lengthening the school’s commitment to him. Their win Saturday over Mississippi State was their sixth of the season and made them eligible for a bowl game. Assuming they make that appearance, according to Pittman’s contract, he will have another year added to the agreement and get a bonus of at least $100,000.
Separately as part of the deal, the sixth regular season win means Pittman will get a $250,000 pay increase, beginning next season. If the Razorbacks get a seventh regular season victory, the increase will grow to $500,000. If they get an eighth, it will grow to $750,000.
Their remaining games are at LSU this coming weekend, at Alabama on Nov. 20 and at home against Missouri on Nov. 26.
Over the longer term, the value of the additional contract year to Pittman is guaranteed to be at least $1.625 million.
Kentucky is on a three-game losing streak following a 6-0 start that made it eligible for a bowl game and set up Stoops for a $100,000 bonus. However, its next win would give Stoops a one-year extension — an outcome that seems likely, as the Wildcats’ next two opponents are Vanderbilt (2-7) and New Mexico State (1-8).
Stoops, who is making $5.25 million this season, is contractually entitled to a $250,000 pay increase annually. Since his agreement already runs through June 30, 2026, his pay for the additional year would be scheduled to be $6.5 million.
Because he would receive 75% of the money left on his contract if he were fired without cause, the guaranteed value of the additional year would be $4.875 million.
If Kentucky beats both Vanderbilt and New Mexico State, Stoops would have the chance at even more: Beginning with Kentucky’s ninth win of each season, including any postseason games, he gets a $250,000 bonus for each win. And if the Wildcats win 10 games, he gets a second year added to his contract term.
Follow colleges reporter Steve Berkowitz on Twitter @ByBerkowitz