More than four months after leaving Baton Rouge for College Station, John Chavis' contract details have emerged thanks to Kate Hairopoulos.
Chavis will earn $1.5 million in 2015, a $200,000 raise from his 2014 salary at LSU, with $50,000 raises following in 2016 and 2017. As for bonuses, Chavis will receive:
- $45,000 for an SEC West title
- $60,000 for an SEC championship
- $30,000 for a non-New Year's Six/Citrus Bowl appearance
- $45,000 for a Citrus Bowl appearance
- $60,000 for a non-playoff New Year's Six game
- $75,000 for a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance
- $90,000 for reaching a College Football Playoff championship game
- $120,000 for winning the College Football Playoff
All told, if Texas A&M wins SEC and national championships in 2017 Chavis would earn $1.78 million in salary and bonuses, more than three Power Five head coaches earned in 2014.
The most interesting part? The contract places Chavis' first "official" day at Texas A&M as Feb. 12, although Chief was photographed in maroon and white well before that date.
LSU and Chavis are currently battling in court over $400,000 the Tigers believe their former defensive coordinator owes them for leaving before the end of his contract date. The difference between Chavis v. LSU and a suit between Oklahoma State and Texas offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Joe Wickline is that Texas A&M has pledged to cover Chavis' buyout should the courts not rule in his favor.