When Bret Bielema surprised college football with his decision to leave the Wisconsin Badgers to become the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, a primary reason behind his departure was Wisconsin’s inability (or unwillingness) to provide competitive wages for the team’s assistant coaches.
The University of Arkansas didn’t have the have the same problem. The school awarded six of its football assistants with contract extensions after the team’s 7-6 campaign.
The Arkansas News Bureau‘s Robbie Neiswanger provided the new contract details:
Defensive coordinator Robb Smith will earn $750K in 2015, $800K in 2016 and $850K in 2017, according to his new agreement.
— Robbie Neiswanger (@NWARobbie) January 8, 2015
TE coach Barry Lunney's salary goes from $200K to $240K and his contract is extended to June 30, 2016.
— Robbie Neiswanger (@NWARobbie) January 8, 2015
Defensive backs coach Clay Jennings goes from $320K to $350K and his deal runs through June 30, 2017.
— Robbie Neiswanger (@NWARobbie) January 8, 2015
Slight change with OL coach Sam Pittman's deal. He goes from $500K to $525K through June 30, 2018. Had the wrong date.
— Robbie Neiswanger (@NWARobbie) January 8, 2015
DL coach Rory Segrest's salary goes from $225K to $240K. His deal now runs through June 30, 2016
— Robbie Neiswanger (@NWARobbie) January 8, 2015
Arkansas strength coach Ben Herbert goes from $300K to $330K in 2015, $340K in 2016 and $350K in 2017.
— Robbie Neiswanger (@NWARobbie) January 8, 2015
The extensions were warranted after the Razorbacks’ strong finish to the 2014 season.
Bielema’s squad won three of its last four games. During that stretch, the Razorbacks became the first unranked program to shut out two ranked programs in consecutive weeks. The Hogs then dominated the Texas Longhorns 31-7 in the Advocare V100 Texas Bowl.
