5 Coaches on the Cusp of a Big Raise
Mike Norvell was on the cusp. After two losing seasons at FSU, he could have easily been on the hot seat with an average season. Instead, he won 10 games, doubled his salary, and is extended to 2029. Just like that, it can happen. Believe it or not, these guys are in the same situation.
1. Billy Napier, Florida
— Napier has had one losing season at Florida while Norvell had two, but patience in Gainesville isn’t the same in Tallahassee these days. Another losing year at Florida, he could be gone or at least on a very hot seat. But a big winning year, and he’ll be in the Josh Heupel range quickly.
Sep 24, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier argues with an official during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium.
© Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
2. Steve Sarkisian, Texas
— Sark makes around $5 million a year at Texas but if he wins a Big 12 title or even 11 games with a nice bowl and he’ll be a $10 million guy. And if he has a bad year, he could be gone.
Sep 3, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian before the game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks in the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
© Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
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3. Neal Brown, West Virginia
— How could Brown be on here? After all, he’s lucky he hasn’t been fired already, right? This is just how it works sometimes. Survive and have one good year, and suddenly, you're locked up with a big raise. It’s unlikely, but it’s one or the other for Brown — big extension or fired.
Sep 10, 2022; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Neal Brown watches during the first quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium.
© Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
4. Kalen DeBoer, Washington
— He’s now in the middle of the pack in Pac-12 coaching salaries after an 11-win season, but if he has another he’ll be right up top. Unlike the others so far, he’s nowhere near a hot seat, but he’s on the cusp of a massive raise.
Sep 3, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer hugs Washington Huskies defensive lineman Jeremiah Martin (3) following a 45-20 Washington victory against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.
© Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
5. Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri
— Drinkwitz got a little bump after this season despite a 6-7 year but that’s all for show and for recruiting. He’s locked up until 2027, but we all know a bad year, and he could be gone. But imagine a surprising year similar to South Carolina last year? That’s big bucks.
Oct 1, 2022; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz looks on during the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.
© Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
