Michigan's Brady Hoke 8th-highest paid college football coach
Michigan coach Brady Hoke has a total compensation package worth $2 million this season.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
Michigan football coach Brady Hoke is one of 64 college football coaches making more than $1 million a year, USA Today reports.
Hoke is the eighth-highest paid football coach with an average compensation of $3.254 million, according to a database USA Today compiled. Salaries for football coaches are up 55 percent in the past six seasons and the average compensation is $1.47 million, USA Today reports. Average pay is up 7.3 percent in the past year.
Eastern Michigan coach Ron English is near the bottom of the database of 110 of the 120 schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision at $343,350. The only coach in the state making less is Dan Enos at Central Michigan, and he's at $325,600.
Hoke signed a six-year deal with Michigan in March, and he will earn $2 million this season. His base salary is $300,000 and his additional compensation this year of $1.7 million comes from television and other media appearances, a shoe and apparel deal and more.
Download Hoke's contract: Hoke contract 2011.pdf
Comments
Somargie
Sat, Nov 19, 2011 : 1:25 a.m.
Another strong example of what's wrong with this country and publicly-funded universities especially. Underpaid? Not out of line? Mmmmmm, let's see all that money the football program earns is because it is part of a public university that is funded by the tax-payers. So...somehow even those they exist only because they are part of that public university... and the football players are enrolled as students at that public university...all that money somehow becomes private and now separate???? That quasi-private money only goes to fund sports programs, scholarships for athletes that get 20 qualifying points above others, special buildings/educational goodies and outrageous salaries to the coaching staff....not just to the 8th highest paid coach...but the staff as well. How easily people forget that some members of the coaching staff are well-paid also with perks too. It's incredulous, that in a time of high tuition costs for students/families, high student debt and higher ed. becoming more inaccessible for a most... that the real intent of universities to educate all... get swept away because of our insatiable appetite for sports.
Larry Weisenthal
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 10:10 a.m.
College coaching salaries are crazy. I don't think that John Wooden ever made much more than the $30K range and lived out his life in a small San Fernando Valley condo. Bo Schembechler was being paid something like $60K in the prime of his career: <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1152110/4/index.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1152110/4/index.htm</a> You can talk about being the CEO of some big empire, but is college football really any better (for both players and fans) now than it was -- back in the pre-ESPN days? Is college athletics in general better today than in the pre-ESPN days? We certainly have fewer college "Olympic" sports, despite more TV money and more shoe company money. I don't think that the Penn State scandal would have happened, back in the 70s. Everyone looked the other way at PSU, because the financial implications were so great. - Larry Weisenthal/Huntington Beach CA
RudeJude
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 4:48 p.m.
I don't know what his current salary is, but here's an article from 2009 regarding Red Berenson's, Michigan legendary hockey coach, salary. He made $190k, which is great, much greater than an average person, but pales in comparison to what Coach Hoke makes. However, Berenson nearly doubles what he makes ($140k more) due to lurcaritive telvision/radio/apparel deals. As outlandish as these salaries seem to some, they are what they are because the university, and other companies, believe they are worth that much. I'm not an economist, but I believe it's good old-fashioned american free market capitalism at work. <a href="http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/other/index.ssf/2009/03/red_berenson_signs_oneyear_ext.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/other/index.ssf/2009/03/red_berenson_signs_oneyear_ext.html</a> (From the article) "Berenson's new contract will take effect on Sept. 1. Its financial details were not announced. His 2008 base salary is about $190,000, according to the university, and he earns an estimated $145,000 extra through television, radio and apparel sponsorships, according to terms of his previous contract."
RudeJude
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 4:16 p.m.
And in regards to the child abuse, I feel like today's story about Syracuse makes me think otherwise... <a href="http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/7248184/syracuse-police-investigating-bernie-fine-molesting-boy-1980s" rel='nofollow'>http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/7248184/syracuse-police-investigating-bernie-fine-molesting-boy-1980s</a>
RudeJude
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 4:10 p.m.
I don't think the question is whether college football is any better, but whether college football is more profitable, which, clearly, it is. Back in Bo's day, there were few bowl games. I believe only the Big Ten team attending the Rose Bowl went to a bowl game, and the rest stayed home. Most games weren't televised, thus there were no lucrative television contracts to maky money from, nor were there apparel giants like Nike and Adidas. There were tickets that were cheap and concessions sales, that's about it. I'm guessing Bo was not worth much more to the university at that time, as surprising as that is. Nowadays, a coach that can lead a team to a Title can make a university millions. If it didn't make financial sense, then it wouldn't be happening.
Nephilim
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 10:38 p.m.
University of Michigan neurosurgeon annual salary: $250,000 University of Michigan Head Football Coach salary: 2+ million I again need to repeat the phrase: society has lost it's mind!!!!
DonAZ
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 4:57 a.m.
@Nephilim -- your point is not entirely lost on us. But as MichFanTex points out, in both cases -- Hoke's and the neurosurgeon's -- there's a mutually agreed to understanding between buyer and seller. The neurosurgeon you cite could make more money if he worked somewhere other than a state university ... Los Angeles, for example. He could make more money still if he was a cosmetic surgeon rather than a neurosurgeon. He'd be making a whole bunch *less* money if he was practicing medicine at some place less prestigious than U-M. For instance, if he was down in Charleston, WV he'd probably make half ... or less. I'm happy your father was helped by this neurosurgeon. My guess is that neurosurgeon is deriving satisfaction and value outside the realm of money. He may truly find his position in life to be deeply satisfying and $250K a year is perfectly okay. If so, then don't pity the man but rather envy him ... many, many people making even more money would love to trade places with him.
DonAZ
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 4:46 a.m.
@MichFanTex - "Water has much greater utility than do gemstone diamonds, do you propose that we should pay very much more for water and very much less for diamonds?" Oh, nice example of the difference between utility and value!
Terry Star21
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 4:25 a.m.
Well, I sure can't pay $18,000.00 + for that operation, but I can buy a $75.00 game ticket.
GoBigBlue
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 3:32 a.m.
Last I checked, neurosurgeon's don't have 114,000 people filling a stadium to watch a surgery. They wouldn't do that for free! Let alone $70 a seat! We pay for entertainment folks. Thus paying the people who entertain us.
Nephilim
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 3:18 a.m.
I can tell you that, that neurosurgeon saved my dad's life two years ago, that same neurosurgeon saved a high school friend this year. Worth every penny! Brady Hoke, the kardashians, Jersey Shore, every NFL player that whines about their multi-million dollar contracts not being enough, Oprah, Jerry, Judge Judy and every other ridiculously paid entertainer. Yea not so much. Sorry.
7718
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 1:59 a.m.
Is the neurosurgeon a Michigan Man?
riverraisin
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 1:34 a.m.
I'm just thankful the neurosurgeon doesn't make $2 million/yr. I wouldn't be able to afford to pay for the surgery.
MichFanTex
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 1:04 a.m.
Jjust like the salary of BH, the salary of the neurosurgeon is mutually agreed upon by both parties in a voluntary contract.
MichFanTex
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 1:01 a.m.
Water has much greater utility than do gemstone diamonds, do you propose that we should pay very much more for water and very much less for diamonds?
DonAZ
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 12:51 a.m.
First, society has lots its mind ... but this is the least egregious example of it. And as for differential pay ... $20M for some marquee movie star vs. the $250K for the neurosurgeon ... what's up with that? Two words to show a completely messed up society: "The Kardashians" ... or for that matter "Jersey Shore." There's more justification in a $2M head coach for Michigan football than any of those others. Yet they get that money because someone sees their services as worth it. Ditto Brady Hoke.
Howard the Duck
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 9:40 p.m.
He shouldn't get a dime until he can beat one of the "State's"!
Terry Star21
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 4:23 a.m.
The 'state' up north has lost 6 of the past 10 and 67 of the last 99. The 'state' down south has lost 12 of the last 20 and 57 of the last 101. So it will just be a matter of time before things are back to normal - most likely starting this November 26 with again smashing the "states" !
Blu n Tpa
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
Count every day since he was hired and figure he spends about 12-14 hours a day working to see how he can win with what he has. Then add building one of the best recruiting classes in recent Michigan football history and then starting on the 2013 class. He has been in ever game this season and his team is looking at a good to very good bowl game on New Years Day. He has made great hires and represents the flagship sport of Michigan Althelics, bringing in enough to support the whoe department. And he has done it with a style and honestly that simply makes true Wolverine fans "SMILE"! In my eyes, I hope we dont lose him, because he is worth every cent he gets. He is Michigan! This is Michigan! Go Blue!
7718
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 1:58 a.m.
Dave Brandon will pay whatever it takes to promote the brand.
Terry Star21
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 9:49 p.m.
And Blu, I agree with Don - I think he spreads that salary out to his assistants or takes less to give them more $.
larry kramer
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 8:57 p.m.
and the players get zip!
Rork Kuick
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 2:01 p.m.
So free market is a good thing for coaches, but we want no such thing for the players. Keep those rationalizations coming, circus watchers.
riverraisin
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 1:43 a.m.
Alot of students get far less than an athlete on scholarship. What about a student that participates in university research? They receive nothing for the work they perform for the university. But they do get an education and degree, which leads to a career. An athlete on scholarship gets their education paid for, plus all the extras. Saving them 10's of thousands of dollars/yr. All the while receiving an education, degree, and a chance to make more money than their head coach.
Terry Star21
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 9:48 p.m.
They are paying their dues - they are preparing for futures, even if not football they are gaining discipline, leadership, sportsmanship and character - ask David Brandon (former Michigan player) and those that make NFL, enough said ($$$$$).
Ignatz
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 9:04 p.m.
Scholarship players get a little more then zip.
missionbrazil
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 8:53 p.m.
If Coach Hoke is making $2 million this year, then how is it that the article begins by saying that he is the 8th highest paid coach at $3.254 million ? At $2 million income this year, I would bet that he is not the 8th highest paid coach THIS year. It seems the article is a bit misleading.
missionbrazil
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 10:08 p.m.
TS, the reason I asked is because the article says that his base is $300,000 and the additional comp. from tv,... is $ 1.7 million , adding up to $2 million total.
Terry Star21
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 9:45 p.m.
Good question mission - The two million is a base, perks, fringes, TV, and radio/Tv shows, etc. bring it up.
PLGreen
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 8:31 p.m.
And how much was Rich Rod paid to loose?
7718
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 6:05 p.m.
Donaz did I say RR would have done better? I said he would have had a pretty good season. Regarding the returning players, you don't think these kids would have been better this year compared to last year? If you say it's the coaching then obviously you don't think these kids could improve themselves. That would be a slap in the players' faces.
DonAZ
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 4:41 a.m.
I defy you to explain how and why RR would do better ... beyond merely citing boilerplate about "returning players." Specifically, what answer would he have for defenses like Wisconsin, Ohio State and Mississippi State, which shut his supposedly potent offense down?
7718
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 1:55 a.m.
RR would have had a pretty good season this year with all the returning players. Before I praise Hoke I want to see what he does against the better teams of the Big Ten.
Terry Star21
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 9:43 p.m.
Toooooooooo much !
DonAZ
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 7:47 p.m.
What I would like to know -- and I don't know if it's possible to ever find out -- is whether Hoke agreed to the relatively low base pay of $300,000 so relatively higher salaries could be paid to the assistants such as Mattison and Borges. The "additional compensation" part is free market stuff and I love it. Good for Hoke. It's no different for high profile sports celebrities ... they make most of their money off such "additional compensation." Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods ... the list is long. Anyone who thinks there's no strings attached is simply living in an alternate universe. If Michigan doesn't win those sources of "additional compensation" start to dry up. I doubt many on this site have any real sense for the kind of stress big program head coaches are under. For my part, I say Hoke is doing a fantastic job and I don't begrudge him the pay or "additional compensation" one bit. And as for ticket prices ... they're supporting a WHOLE LOT MORE than coaches salaries. You see all those stories about women's field hockey and men's baseball and such? All supported by football revenue.
Terry Star21
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 9:42 p.m.
Great question Don, that could be true...Hoke is the kind of guy that would do just that for his staff. When he said he would walk from San Diego to get here that sort of set the tone that his work and performance wasn't to be about money and you know he is very happy and not worried about what other coaches are getting. "This is Michigan for God's sake" !
rs
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 6:59 p.m.
@MisterAngryBear I would hardly call UM football merely an "extracurricular activity" when last year they were the 4th most profitable football program in the nation with revenue of over $63mil and a profit of almost $45mil. <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/29/news/companies/college_football_dollars/index.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/29/news/companies/college_football_dollars/index.htm</a>
Terry Star21
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 6:32 p.m.
I am totally shocked it's so low - perhaps because it is his first year at Michigan. For college footballs number one winning program in the nation he should be right up there at the top. It may take a our new coach several years to command the pay he deserves. I agree with rs above, considered the home game take on football Saturday is around 6.2 million per game, the big donations that are given, TV payouts, bowl games, etc. - he is woefully underpaid. Coach Hoke, although it's not a big deal to you - just wanted you to know despite being under paid, the Michigan Football Faithful is pleased and very proud of everything you have done - and will do for our future. MgoBlueForTiM......the Mighty Hoke is underpaid, but highly respected and appreciated.
7718
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 1:53 a.m.
I would walk to Ann arbor from San Diego for that salary too.
rs
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 6 p.m.
When you consider how much money the football program brings in to UM (ticket sales, licensed apparel, TV contracts, bowl appearances, etc) and the surrounding Ann Arbor community, Hoke's salary doesn't seem that out of line. He is essentially the CEO and figurehead of this big multimillion brand known as "UM". We all know how valuable it is having a good figurehead for your brand, just ask Penn State. Until last week, most people across the country probably could have named only one employee from Penn State, and that was JoePa. When you have somebody representing your entire school on the national level, you want somebody that represents your school with pride and integrity. Oh yeah, they gotta win games too. They get all of this from Hoke, thats why he gets paid what he does.
7718
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 1:53 a.m.
It's all about the brand. Dave Brandon will continue to raise ticket prices and do whatever he can in order to make more people aware of the brand.
MichFanTex
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 12:53 a.m.
A minor quibble, but I'd equate David Brandon as the CEO of Michigan athletics and BH as Veep of football operations.
DonAZ
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 7:39 p.m.
+1 ... the voice of reason
Bonsai
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 5:58 p.m.
well he better win Saturday then!
towny
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 5:41 p.m.
Hard to believe. Well I guess we know where the big dollar price of the tickets goes. I support coach Hoke and have since he was hired and its his right to get the going pay. But, this is part of what is wrong with this country. Sports players and coach's are grossly over paid. I will not pay to go see the tigers a bunch of overpriced cry baby's. I go to see the Toledo Mud Hens play and see real baseball played who's players are giving it there all on every play. Most people will not earn this much money in a lifetime of hard work. Where has this country gone too. Everything in this country regarding wages in sports is way out of hand. Now I see a baseball player is going to sign a 220 million dollar contract. I will not support this system.
MichFanTex
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 12:48 a.m.
Now I see a baseball player is going to sign a 220 million dollar contract. I will not support this system. That's the great thing about freedom, you don't have to support that system. Those people earn or not what they do irrespective of what you believe, they earn what their employers are willing to pay them. Is freedom of choice great or what?
Terry Star21
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 6:33 p.m.
It is surprising how low he is paid, must be 'first year coach' thing.
RudeJude
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 5:48 p.m.
You're absolutely right, because it's not like the Toledo Mud Hens are giving it their all on every play to earn an MLB contract or anything.. They clearly aren't part of that system, being a Triple-A affiliate with those Big League scoundrels, the Detroit Tigers. Heavens, no.
RudeJude
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 5:21 p.m.
It surprises me that Eastern Michigan is a better paying job than Central Michigan, considering the amount of success Central has had in the last few years and Eastern's complete lack of success until this season. I have a feeling Ron English may be hired by a bigger team at season's end, but I'd love to see him stick around and continue building up the Hurons.
MisterAngryBear
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 4:54 p.m.
Amazing that someone can become a multi-millionaire running an extracurricular activity.
MichFanTex
Fri, Nov 18, 2011 : 12:50 a.m.
Does your better thing for 100 hours a week bring down 38.5 large? Ever notice that those that make the most wealth generally put in a lot more effort than most others? Odd how that works out.
MisterAngryBear
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 10:11 p.m.
I've got better things to do 100 hours a week than watch people chase a ball around, thanks.
MRunner73
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 7:03 p.m.
Let's see you put in 80 to 100 hours or more in a week, then recruit nearly every day. Are you up to the task?
RudeJude
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 : 5:17 p.m.
I dont' think so, when you consider the many things that Michigan football factors, everything from the local economy to the quality of donations to the university. Even here in Texas, where I live, many local Austin businesses play commercials during the Michigan games, which are almost always televised here. Michigan football attracts viewers and helps them make a living. He's not getting paid more than what he's worth, or else they wouldn't pay him that. It's free market.