Clemson assistants get raises
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Clemson University football assistant coaches Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott are joining the million-dollar club.
Each of the co-offensive coordinators has received a raise that increased his annual salary to $1 million, giving the national champion Tigers three assistants making at least that much. The school’s board of trustees approved salary increases for several assistants and staff members Friday.
The move came a month after Clemson completed a 15-0 season by beating Alabama 44-16 in the title game of the College Football Playoff. Elliott and Scott each made $850,000 last season and received raises of $150,000.
They join Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables at that lofty level. Venables earned $2.2 million last season. He received a new contract last July that pays him $11.6 million over six seasons. Venables was the only member of the staff not to get a salary increase because his deal was redone last summer.
Clemson will pay its assistants a total of $7.1 million, for now the highest total in the country. That total is up from $6.5 million last year.
Clemson athletic director Dan Radakovich said it was important to head coach Dabo Swinney to reward his assistants.
“There’s been very little turnover, and I think that helps with the culture and the environment inside the program and has helped create the outstanding results that we’ve had,” Radakovich said.
Each assistant also had a year added to his contract.
Radakovich said he’s reworking Swinney’s contract as well. Swinney, who is preparing for his 11th full season leading the Tigers, made $6.5 million in salary last season with another $1 million or so in bonuses for Clemson’s perfect season. Swinney is in line for a $1 million retention payment from Clemson if he’s the coach on March 1.
Offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell received a salary increase of $30,000, upping his compensation to $570,000 for next season. Quarterback coach Brandon Streeter will be paid $500,000 after getting a raise of $45,000. Tight ends and special teams coach Danny Pearman will make $505,000 after his raise of $25,000.
Cornerbacks coach Mike Reed got a raise of $55,000 and will earn $495,000. Safeties coach Mickey Conn received a $30,000 raise to $400,000. Defensive tackles coach Todd Bates will make $375,000 after his raise of $75,000. Defensive ends coach Lemanski Hill will earn $350,000 after his raise of $50,000.
Among off-the-field staffers, longtime strength and conditioning coach Joey Batson got a raise of $100,000, increasing his salary to $600,000 next season.