Michigan football coach Brady Hoke gets $125,000 bonus for Sugar Bowl victory
Brady Hoke coaches players during a fall 2011 practice.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Hoke will get a $125,000 bonus for coaching the Wolverines to a Sugar Bowl victory Tuesday night, according to a report by Crain's Detroit Business.
The bonus is part of the contract Hoke signed in March 2011, three months after being hired by Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon.
The contract averages $3.25 million a year in compensation, although Hoke's base salary is $300,000.
Hoke is one of the highest-paid college football coaches in the country.
AnnArbor.com previously reported that Hoke was set to receive $75,000 for bringing the Wolverines to a bowl game or $125,000 for coaching the team to a prominent bowl game, such as the Capital One and Outback bowls.
If the Wolverines make it to the Big Ten Conference championship game, Hoke will receive $300,000.
Brandon told Crain's that the Sugar Bowl, part of the Bowl Championship Series, is considered a prominent bowl game and thus warranted the larger bonus.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
Scott
Sun, Jan 8, 2012 : 6:12 a.m.
You are a great guy Brady. Give the money away to family who needs it or loved ones who need it or charity. Too much money makes people crazy. Studies have shown that happiness peaks at $75k a year and then declines as income rises. It may seem like a blessing but it's really a curse.
cutty240
Sat, Jan 7, 2012 : 2:29 a.m.
Great Coaching Job.Denard 13 rushes 13 yards. Maybe you should give some of that money to Al Uncle Fester Borgas.Michigan's enchanted year continued into The Sugar Bowl.You might want to save some of that Money for Next Year Opening Game against Nick Saban in Jerry's House.Hehehe. Denard wont Finish The Game.Enjoy it all why you can,because it will be short lived.Next Year will Be a whole Different Year.
Lolly
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 3 p.m.
Catcal, your comment *There's always plenty of money at UM for football .* is puzzling. The fact is that the money the football probram brings in pays not only for the football team, but tuition for 28 varsity sports. Is that what you mean?
Terry Star21
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 2:02 a.m.
It is hard to understand why he was paid so little of a bonus considering all he has done - the millions of fans he has brought back, the millions of dollars he has brought in and the good he has done for his players, his team and his school. Brady Hoke has brought this team to the highest placing BCS team in the Midwest, the only football team in the State of Michigan - for the largest fan base in America and @ 895 wins, the best football team anywhere. MgoBlueForTiM........Brady Hoke, Salute !
7718
Sun, Jan 8, 2012 : 1:12 p.m.
He brought millions of fans back? Where did they go?
A2comments
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 12:59 p.m.
Contract dictates what he gets.
xmo
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 10:32 p.m.
I am glad that U of M loves Coach Hoke, He did a terrific job. I look forward to MSU making it five in a row!
Scott
Sun, Jan 8, 2012 : 6:14 a.m.
someone give xmo another hug.
RWBill
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 7:52 p.m.
For the benefit and positive publicity this bowl appearance gave the University this is a bargain. I was in in New Orleans for the game and the overall impression the swarm of M fans, the band, and the team created in the city and a nationwide audience will result in a payback far exceeding this bonus.
BlueGator
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 6:53 p.m.
Well deserved bonus for capping off a remarkable turn-around year. I think he'll more than have his hands full reaching 9 victories (incl. a bowl win) next year unless some of these line recruits we have coming in can step up and play immediately. Tough to do, however. Nonetheless, 2011 was a great year for Brady and the Wolverines.
oldblueypsi
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 5:43 p.m.
@hut hut re: your comment "@mjc. Maybe you would have paid a little less in tuition if the UM didn't pay their coaches outrageous salaries and bonuses for simply doing the job they were hired and paid $3 mill to do." Salaries/wages/bonuses for the coaches are paid through funds controlled by the Board in Control, whose source of funds is ticket sales, media rights, licensing rights, share of ancillary sales at events, etc. The primary generator of those funds is the football program. Coaches' remuneration have no impact on tuition.
hut hut
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 12:58 a.m.
It's like those "buckets" for the A2 City govt.
Old Salt
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 5:07 p.m.
He should share this bonus with all of the SENIORS on the team after they graduate this year
catcal
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 5 p.m.
There's always plenty of money at UM for football . . .
Kai Petainen
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 5 p.m.
Congrats to a job well done. I think he earned it. If he wins, he gets some $$. If he loses, he gets to hear people say nasty things about him in the news. Hey... want to 'sponsor' me for a trans-atlantic deep ocean trip? =) It costs about $400,000 <a href="http://www.deepoceanexpeditions.com/leagues_expedition.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.deepoceanexpeditions.com/leagues_expedition.html</a>
hut hut
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 4:18 p.m.
He should give a few $ to the instant replay guys. Hoke just did his job, he did just what he's already getting paid big bucks for, so why the six figure bonus for simply doing what he's paid for in the first place? When I do more than what my job calls for, I get an "atta boy". Well, here's my atta boy, Coach Hoke! Go Blue! Some folks get three times what I make in a year for simply winning a single football game. Something that they're already paid handsomely to do! Something is seriously wrong with this picture. It happens everywhere, public, private, makes no difference. In fact it's the corporate mindset run amuck in the public sector. But this kind of thing really has to stop. While hard working people lose jobs and their wages are cut, those at the top continue to reward those at the top with outrageous bonuses, pay increases and perks. All those folks do is tell each other what a great job they're doing so write them a check! I'm not convinced of that no matter how many times those at the top tell me.
John
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.
Sounds like you are more upset that you aren't the coach of a prominent football program. Why hate on Hoke, he's just part of the system. Let me guess, you'd turn the 125k bonus down right? Sure, society has skewed views of who is really important when it comes to dollars and cents, look at what they pay teachers, police and firemen, etc. Welcome to the world!
RWBill
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 7:57 p.m.
Wow you appear very out of touch and unaware of how opportunities and the economy its created, and the $100, 000, 000 of revenue the Athletic Department brings in. Get yourself educated and reform your opinions based on what really goes on.
tegel
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.
"While hard working people lose jobs and their wages are cut, those at the top continue to reward those at the top with outrageous bonuses, pay increases and perks." Are you implying that Brady Hoke does not work hard? I'd have to seriously disagree with that. Brady Hoke worked his way up the coaching ranks and is now reaping the rewards.
treetowncartel
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 5:10 p.m.
The conference got the $17 million, not the school. that is why i don't understand why MSU was so upset that a 2nd team from the conference made a BCS bowl. They should give that 1/12th of the pie back if they were so against Michigan going to the Sugar Bowl. yeah right.
alan
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 4:32 p.m.
I get more upset about paying 3.50/gallon for gas while the CEO of Exxon earn $30 million. The school got a payout of $17 million so negotiating a contractual bonus based on that kind of expected payout doesn't seem that far out of line. Is the whole thing ridiculous from the beginning? Probably yes, but his bonus based on a percentage isn't out of line.
15crown00
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 4:09 p.m.
Backing in is rewarding.
smokeblwr
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 4:17 p.m.
Who invited Sparty? Go back to your own party.
golfer
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 4:04 p.m.
take a vacation with the family and blow the money
MRunner73
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 4:04 p.m.
Good for Brady Hoke. He earnend it and that's my vote.
Craig Lounsbury
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 4:01 p.m.
say Brady, can I borrow 10 bucks?
trespass
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:32 p.m.
How much of a bonus do each of the players get? Oh, I forgot they get an education (or not since most aren't prepared for college work and don't graduate).
MjC
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 6:27 p.m.
@hut hut - I'm not feeling as bitter as you are. Considering where I came from (basically nothing), I'm very proud of the fact that after working really hard all my life, I've been able to put two kids through the UM. And again, the facts are that the athletic department doesn't draw on tax payer money. We're lucky the UM Football program brings in so much money (basically funds all UM sports, provides a lot of job opportunities for people at all levels, and brings in thousands of dollars to Ann Arbor). I'm just saying... be at peace and go blue!
hut hut
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 4:26 p.m.
@mjc. Maybe you would have paid a little less in tuition if the UM didn't pay their coaches outrageous salaries and bonuses for simply doing the job they were hired and paid $3 mill to do. I doubt that your kids will ever make that kind of money unless they become administrators, Wall St execs or Big 10 football coaches. Hopefully they will be successful in their own right and decry the massive transfer of wealth to people at the top. Maybe they'll be lucky enough to get good jobs and send their kids to a college where education has more value than sports and tuitions are lower.
alan
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 4:24 p.m.
The six year graduation rate for the football team is almost 80%. It's 90% for the whole university. The national 6 year graduation rate for all students, athletes or not, is only 60% so I think that having your football team at 20% above that is pretty good. The basketball team is another story.
MjC
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 4:14 p.m.
Trespass - You've got to check the facts. These athletes get a FREE ride at the UM (tuition, room and board, access to all rec facilities, tutoring services, career counseling services, media and interview counseling, free medical, and best of all a good education for them to take advantage of IF they just make the effort). And The University of Michigan's four-year rolling average grad rate for athletes is 76 percent (I think I have that fact right?). I've put two kids through the UM without these perks and it wasn't cheap, but they both received an outstanding undergrad education (yep, that was a surprise to me too!). GO BLUE!
Eep
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 4:11 p.m.
@trespass It's hard to take your comments seriously when you simply make things up. "Most aren't prepared for college work and don't graduate." Really? How do you know this? "Most" would mean more than 50%, right? Every NCAA report I've ever seen says that the graduation rate for Michigan football players is around 70%. You can certainly argue that 70% isn't good enough, and you can argue that Michigan is accepting players who don't belong in the college setting (and I might even agree with you), but simply making things up doesn't help your cause.
lumberg48108
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 4:06 p.m.
actually the players get a lot they get a nice trip to New Orleans and all the related activities associated with a major bowl - especially when its cold in Michigan - this is a bonus as Bowls are not guaranteed and they (usually) get a nice parting package gift that has MPS, iPads, XBOX or related stuff --- such is normal and legal with Bowl games and again, a bonus they also got to play in front of a national audience in a prestigious bowl hopefully, they left with a lifetime of incredible memories and some nice swag as long as they dont sell their jerseys for tattoos - things are fine
MRunner73
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 4:01 p.m.
I knew that comment was coming...but I wont' go there.
smokeblwr
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:26 p.m.
I see a poll but I can't vote on it. AHHH!!
Kellie Woodhouse
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:30 p.m.
The poll is now active. Sorry for the delay.