There was a period just a few years ago where offensive coordinators were breaking down wall to become the first $1 million per year coaches in college football.
Recent trends show that the scale has tipped to defensive coordinators, with defensive play callers accounting for 7 of the top 8 coaches in the latest USA Today Coaches Salary Database.
It certainly makes sense that coordinators top the list of the highly compensated, but what is the highest paid position group at the Power Five level?
USA Today's research shares that offensive line coaches currently hold that honor. With an average yearly salary of over $500k, they make $75k more than the average figure for quarterbacks coaches and $82k more annually than defensive line coaches. The study did not take into account those with dual roles as offensive, defensive, or special teams coordinators.
According to USA Today, the pay for offensive line coaches is fast on the rise, having increased 30% since 2017.
Just last year, three offensive line coaches earned head coaching jobs. Led by Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman (who was one of the highest paid offensive line coaches in college football in 2019 at Georgia making over $900k), the list also includes Memphis' Ryan Silverfield and Appalachian State's Shawn Clark.
All told, at least 22 different offensive line coaches at the Power Five level (out of 65 total programs) also carry another title. ranging from run game coordinator, to assistant or associate head coach and co-offensive coordinator. That means about 1/3 of the offensive line coaches at the Power Five level hold an additional title.
See the full story from USA Today on the trend, here.
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