How does a the same contract represent a massive raise for the coach and an enormous cost savings for the school employing him? When the coach in question is moving from Division II to the Power 5.
In new Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo's case, "massive" doesn't begin to describe his raise.
The Oklahoman reported Wednesday that Nardo will earn $650,000 per year on a 3-year contract. An industry source tells FootballScoop that Nardo earned $60,000 in the same role at Gannon University. An iPhone calculator tells FootballScoop that Nardo netted a 1,083 percent raise with the move.
“I cannot thank Coach Gundy and the rest of the staff enough for their openness throughout this entire process and for trusting me with this responsibility,” Nardo said upon his hiring last month. “I am extremely excited to join the rich tradition of Oklahoma State football. I can’t wait to get to work and continue to build upon all of the great things that have been done here throughout history.
For Oklahoma State, the move from Derek Mason's $1.1 million salary to Nardo's represents a savings of $450,000.
Of course, Oklahoma State didn't hire Nardo because it wanted to save money, and even if that were true, there are hundreds of other coordinators at the D2 and D3 levels earning $60k or below. Gundy could've hired any of them, and chose Nardo for a reason.
“He’s a young, energetic, bright football coach who brings 10 years of coordinating experience with him. He’s been successful and his innovative system has helped win games everywhere he’s been," Gundy said last month.
In his one season at Gannon, Nardo chopped more than 100 yards and eight points off the Golden Knights' 2021 averages. Prior to Gannon, Nardo spent 2020-21 as the linebackers coach at Youngstown State and the eight seasons prior as the defensive coordinator at Emporia State, a Division II school in Kansas.
Nardo's hiring triggered new titles for existing assistants Joe Bob Clements (now co-defensive coordinator/LBs) and Tim Duffie (pass game coordinator/CBs). The Oklahoman reported the promotions did not come with raises. Both men are in the final year of 2-year contracts; Clements will make $600,000 in 2023 and Duffie $550,000.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.