Auburn safeties coach Tommy Thigpen will earn $250,000 and cornerbacks coach Phillip Lolley will pull in $210,000, the Opelika-Auburn News confirmed late Wednesday.
Thigpen’s and Lolley’s salaries round out the reported earnings of Gene Chizik’s staff of assistants, which stands at roughly $2.53 million. The Opelika-Auburn News previously reported the seven other assistants’ salaries in late January.
The Mobile Press-Register first reported the coaches’ salaries early Wednesday afternoon.
Auburn’s staff of nine assistants ranks as one of the highest paid in the SEC.
Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama makes a combined $2.685 million. Lane Kiffin’s brand new staff at Tennessee rakes in an SEC-high $3.325 million.
The News has pending records requests for Chizik’s and all assistants’ contracts, but Auburn has yet to release any of them.
USA soccer bid committee eyes Jordan-Hare
The other football could be making a stop at Jordan-Hare Stadium — a long time from now.
Auburn’s 70-year-old stadium is one of 70 U.S. stadiums up for consideration to host World Cup games in 2018 or 2022—whichever year the U.S. is able to land the world’s most popular sports event.
The university has until April 17 to decide whether it wants Jordan-Hare to be part of the USA Bid Committee’s proposal to host the event.
Auburn officials were not aware of the invitation as of Wednesday afternoon.
The 70 stadiums selected come from 31 different states, including the District of Columbia. Jordan-Hare Stadium is one of nine SEC stadiums on the list.
When the U.S. hosted the World Cup in 1994, nine stadiums were used. The format has since changed, expanding the field from 24 to 32 teams, so it’s expected more venues will be needed.
Injury update
Gene Chizik did not specify what type of injury defensive end Antoine Carter has, but assured Tuesday night that it was not serious.
Carter was seen being carted off the practice field with an apparent foot injury during an open portion of Sunday’s practice.
“He’s doing really good,” Chizik said. “He’s going to be fine.”
Chizik added that he doesn’t plan to move anyone around to make up for the lost depth on the line “simply because we don’t think that’s the issue.“
Tailback Onterio McCalebb tweaked his hamstring earlier this week, running backs coach Curtis Luper said, but it also does not appear to be anything serious.
“He’s just got to get through that and learn to play through a little pain,” Luper said. “But he’s fast.”
A-Day format still up in the air
Chizik said he has yet to decide on a format for next Saturday’s A-Day game.
“We’re going to have to get closer to it to decide how we want to do it,” Chizik said, “simply because we want to see where we are injury-wise.“
Auburn will scrimmage Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium — its second of three for the spring.
agribble@oanow.com | 737-2561
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