Oregon gives coach Mark Helfrich a big raise

After leading Oregon to the College Football Playoff's inaugural national championship game in his second season as head coach, Oregon's Mark Helfrich is getting a raise and a five-year contract extension.

Helfrich will make an average of $3.5 million during the deal, which runs through Jan. 31, 2020. Helfrich, who made $2 million this season according to Paste BN Sports' coaches salary database, was promoted from offensive coordinator following Chip Kelly's departure for the NFL after the 2012 season.

The extension will place Helfrich among the top three highest-paid public university football coaches in the Pac-12 Conference. Helfrich's new contract will rank among the top 25 coaches, as measured by the Paste BN Sports annual database of coaching salaries. His old deal ranked No. 51.

Under Helfrich, Oregon is 24-4. In 2014, the Ducks reached the national championship game before falling to Ohio State.

"Mark has provided tremendous leadership of our football program and the values and character that he insists upon are in line with our mission as an institution," Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens said in a release.

"The success of our student-athletes on the field and in the classroom will continue with Mark's leadership and we are thrilled that he will stay at home in Oregon for a long time to come."

Helfrich, 41, is a native of Coos Bay, Ore. The contract contains an automatic one-year rollover if Oregon wins at least 11 games in a season, including a victory in "New Year's Six" bowl game.

He will receive $3.15 million in 2015-16, escalating to $3.8 million in 2019-20, not including incentive bonuses. The deal includes a $3 million buyout for the first two years, declining to $1 million by the end of the contract.

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