Auburn football staff to make more than $2 million

By: Andrew Gribble | Opelika Auburn News
Published: January 30, 2009

Auburn has doled out more than $2 million in base salaries for Gene Chizik’s staff of assistants with two vacancies still left to fill.

Though the contracts have not been finalized, a source familiar with the principle deals confirmed Chizik’s seven new assistants’ base salaries to the Opelika-Auburn News on Thursday.

The respective lengths of the coaches’ deals were not available.

Defensive coordinator Ted Roof, a 22-year coaching veteran, will take in the highest earnings with a base salary at $370,000 per year. Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn comes in at a close second, making $350,000.

In comparison, former Auburn offensive coordinator Tony Franklin made $280,000 last year, while former defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads brought in $305,000.

Per their originally signed contracts, Franklin and Rhoads will receive those salaries in 2009.

Chizik is set to make a base salary of $1.9 million, sources confirmed to the Opelika-Auburn News the day of Chizik’s introductory press conference. His contract, though, is promised to be high on performance-based incentives, athletic director Jay Jacobs said Dec. 15.

“Production gets you more money,” Jacobs said.

Here are the other salaries of Chizik’s current staff of assistants, which brings the combined total to $2.07 million.

* Trooper Taylor — wide receivers/assistant head coach — $320,000

* Tracy Rocker — defensive line — $300,000

* Jeff Grimes — offensive line — $290,000

* Curtis Luper — running backs — $260,000

* Jay Boulware — tight ends/special teams coordinator — $180,000

These salaries boost Auburn near the top when compared to other SEC schools, but fall well short of what the University of Tennessee is paying new coach Lane Kiffin’s staff, which has been completely filled.

The Volunteers’ nine assistants will make a combined $3.325 million. More than half, though, is for the salaries of defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin ($1.2 million) and recruiting coordinator/defensive line coach Ed Orgeron ($650,000).

Auburn lands 24th commit
Daren Bates, a safety from Olive Branch, Miss., committed to Auburn on Thursday, according to AuburnSports.com.

Bates, who brings Auburn’s current class of commitments to 24 and had previously committed to Arkansas State, is rated at two stars, according to Rivals.com.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder also received a verbal offer from Alabama, according to AuburnSports.com.

agribble@oanow.com | 737-2561

Read Andrew Gribble's blog here.