New York (Washington Insider Magazine) — There is a lot of difference between working in the public sector and the private sector. Brian Kelly has a low income compared to other coaches working in the same industry. The college coaches like Brian Kelly working at Notre Dame, are making just several million dollars a year when other coaches are earning much higher than that.
Kelly has been performing his duties well and is considered one of the best football coaches. He is most definitely underpaid when compared to his colleagues at taxpayer-funded universities. Here are some major reasons why Brian Kelly’s salary is so low.
The Notre Dame Is Not Winning Often On The Football Field
The major reason behind the low salary of Brian Kelly is that Notre Dame has not been winning on the football field as often as Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, or Oklahoma. This is an important factor as Notre Dame is judging coaches based on that. Florida State has won more games as compared to the Fighting Irish in the past decade.
However, Notre Dame is still considered to be a great organization and can pay their coaches well. The company has an independent status in football and is capable of paying a sufficient amount. There have been some major conferences that have realigned over the years and have taken advantage of NCAA rules.
Brian Kelly Has Lasted With Notre Dame For A Decade
Coaching football can be demanding at Notre Dame. Brian Kelly is only the fifth head coach that has lasted a decade. A lot of his counterparts in the SEC will agree that football is the only sport that truly matters on campus.
A disproportionate number of students and alumni show a lot of interest in the game. This is why football coaches should be paid well no matter what the situation. Football is the only sport that the subway alumni have taken notice of.
Notre Dame is also a popular destination and attracts national reporters from all over the world. When there is a big game – or a big controversy – brewing a lot of media and alumni obligations the college coaches have to face a lot of trouble. Brian Kelly has been enduring that for decades and deserves at least a high salary.
Kelly will be taking on the field this fall and will be facing the unmatched Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian, and Lou Holtz. This will be his 11th season in the coaching. Only Knute Rockne lasted longer, but 13 seasons don’t make him qualify for a long tenure.
Brian Kelly’s Salary Compared To Other Coaches
Brian Kelly’s salary was $1,665,020, last fall. This makes him fall to the bottom. He is ranked at No. 75 on the highest salary list. Other coaches like Dino Babers, Chris Ash, Steve Addazio, Clay Helton, and others have a better salary figures as compared to Brian.
Here is how Kelly’s current pay compared to the other coaches:
- Nick Saban: $10,700,000
- Kirby Smart: $10,250,000
- Brian Kelly: $9,500,000
- Mel Tucker: $9,500,000
- Jimbo Fisher: $9,000,000
- Jim Harbaugh: $7,050,000
- Kirk Ferentz: $7,000,000
- Bryan Harsin*: $5,100,000
- Karl Dorrell*: $3,600,000
- Mike Norvell: $3,250,000
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Brian Kelly Contract And Salary Overview At LSU
Brian signed the contract with LSU on April 6, 2022. His Term will end in the 2031 season. His expected Base Salary is estimated to be around $400,000
Brian Kelly will be getting a supplemental Compensation of:
- 2022: $8,600,000
- 2023: $8,800,000
- 2024: $8,800,000
- 2025: $9,000,000
- 2026: $9,000,000
- 2027: $9,200,000
- 2028: $9,200,000
- 2029: $9,400,000
- 2030: $9,400,000
- 2031: $9,600,000
Kelly will receive an additional $500,000. This will be a longevity bonus every July if he remains employed by the university. This will bring the total to 2022 and will take his earnings to around $9,500,000. The total value of Kelly’s contract without bonuses will be an average of $100,000,000.
Kelly’s salary is expected to see an expected increase if he leads LSU to the SEC or national championship. He will be immediately following the first SEC championship Kelly wins. It will be the remaining supplemental compensation and will add to the contract.
The salary increase will be expected to reach about $250,000 each. If LSU wins a national championship, then the remaining amount will increase by $500,000. The football coach will see a salary increase of $250,000 which he has already applied. That means if LSU wins then the national title then the remaining amount on his contract will be estimated to be around $90,500,000 to $97,250,000.
