KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee will pay more than $5.3
million to its football coaches in 2009, including $2 million for
head coach Lane Kiffin and $1.2 million for defensive coordinator Monte
Kiffin.
The previous staff under Phillip Fulmer was set to make a
combined $4.7 million in 2009.
Recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach Ed Orgeron has
the next largest salary with $650,000 this season. Offensive
coordinator and line coach Jim Chaney will make $380,000, and
linebackers coach Lance Thompson will make $350,000.
The total ranks Tennessee's football coaching salary pool fourth
among the Southeastern Conference's football programs.
"While our coaches' salary model is unique, we feel it is a
great model for Tennessee," Tennessee athletic director Mike
Hamilton said in a statement. "Coach Kiffin understands the power
of putting together a great team, and he used the budget we
provided to assemble what many will consider to be the best staff
in America."
Monte Kiffin, Orgeron, Chaney and Thompson will each hold
three-year contracts while the remaining coaches will receive
two-year deals.
Running backs and special teams coach Eddie Gran will make
$185,000, quarterbacks coach David Reaves and wide receivers coach
Frank Wilson will each make $150,000 and defensive backs coach
Willie Garza will make $110,000.
"Our funding model requires football to be successful in order
to fund other sports and not detract from the university's
mission," Hamilton said.