With new coordinators on both sides of the ball, Auburn is planning on better coaching to improve on the 6-7 record from Hugh Freeze's debut season. Time will tell if that happens, but one thing is certain: Auburn will definitely get cheaper coaching.
Having lost or dismissed offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery, defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, assistant head coach Cadillac Williams and safeties coach Zac Etheridge -- the four highest-paid coaches on Freeze's staff -- Auburn will pay its coaching staff nearly $500,000 less than the 2023 group took home.
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach DJ Durkin is the highest-paid coach at $1.2 million, but that's $200,000 less than what Auburn paid Roberts. Similarly, new offensive coordinator Derrick Nix will earn $200,000 less than Montgomery. Kent Austin, as the other offensive backfield position coach, will bring home half a million less than what Auburn paid Williams.
That's not to say everyone is making less, though.
Auburn will pay co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Charles Kelly 35 percent more than what Etheridge made, which figures given Kelly's resume.
Among the returning assistants, offensive line coach Jake Thornton was the big winner, taking home a $100,000 raise. Josh Aldridge, who moved from linebackers to defensive edge, was the only returnee not to net a raise.
Freeze will make $6.5 million again in 2024. (All info via AL.com.)
* Salary earned by 2023 staff member