By Mike Farrell
— Wanna make big money? Have a big season. Just ask Mel Tucker. These guys are on the cusp of a Tucker-like $100 million guaranteed deal if they can just have a massive season.
1. Steve Sarkisian, Texas
— Just win the Big 12, man. That’s all it takes. It doesn’t matter if it’s 11-1 or 9-3, just give Texas a Big 12 title on the way out to the SEC, and you’ll be rewarded ridiculously. That’s how badly they want to win. Sark makes a bit over $5 million a year and could double that with a breakout season. Or he could get fired if things go south. He’s on the cusp.
2. Mike Norvell, Florida State
— Norvell is like Sark, just north of $5 million a year. Just win the ACC, and FSU will open up the coffers, even with the recent mistake of Willie Taggart and all that wasted money. They won’t want Norvell to be poached like Jimbo Fisher.
3. Ryan Day, Ohio State
— Day makes over $8 million a year and all, but if he can beat Michigan, win the Big Ten, and win it all, he’ll be a $120 million deal guy. Just watch.
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4. Josh Heupel, Tennessee
— Heupel makes the most of any coach on here at $9 million annually and is paid through 2028, so maybe it’s dumb to have him on here? Nah. Win the SEC somehow, and watch what guarantees he gets. The Vols are as desperate to find a long-term coach as anyone.
5. Billy Napier, Florida
— Sounds dumb right? The Gators are projected to finish near the bottom of the SEC East. But that’s exactly why I have him here. Surprise everyone with a 9-3 season, and you go from $7 million a year to a fat, bloated, guaranteed deal. He’s locked in through 2029, so it’s unlikely they would change much, but I’ll tell you this. The Florida fan base and boosters can fire a coach, and they can also overcompensate him heavily.
