Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin's recent contract extension at Auburn will make him one of the highest paid coordinators in college football.
Durkin, who agreed to a contract extension earlier this month, will now make a base salary of $2.5 million per season. With the built in annual escalator to raise that $200k each off season.
The veteran college defensive coordinator made $1.2 million leading the Tigers defense last fall and was set to make $1.4 million this year under his previous deal that took him through the 2026 season.
Multiple outlets have shared details of the extension.
The USA Today assistant coach salary database showed just nine assistant coaches in the $2 million per year club last year, and the new salary will pay him in the same range that LSU paid DC Blake Baker ($2.5 million), and what Michigan paid Wink Martindale ($2.3 million) last fall.
Just a few weeks ago, Jim Knowles departure from Ohio State to take over the defense at Penn State reset the coordinator market, as the Nittany Lions agreed to break the $3 million per year ceiling in awarding him $3.1 million annually.
With the information currently available on coordinator salaries, the pay bump for Durkin puts him as the second highest paid coordinator in college football (tied with Blake Baker), as the top several spots are owned by defensive play callers.
A few notable defensive statistics for Durkin's defense at Auburn after a 5-7 finish this fall:
- 8th in opponent scrimmage plays 10+ yards
- 18th in yards per play
- 31st in red zone score percentage
- 27th in run defense
- 50th in sacks
- 52nd in pass defense
- 57th in opponent 3rd down conversion percentage
- 71st in TFLs
- 104th in turnovers gained
- 120th in turnover margin
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