New Auburn Tigers defensive coordinator Kevin Steele could prove to be a bargain for the program, after they were forced to shell out $1.6 million to former coordinator Will Muschamp, who left to coach the South Carolina Gamecocks this offseason, in 2015.
Now, with a new assistant leading the defense, Auburn will save approximately $500,000.
According to USA Today‘s coaching salary database, Steele is set to earn $1.1 million to coordinate the Tigers defense in 2016. Compared to other SEC defensive coordinators, Steele’s salary is a, well, steal.
Last season, Alabama’s Kirby Smart ($1.501 million) and Texas A&M’s John Chavis ($1.5 million) each earned at least $1.5 million. Georgia’s Jeremy Pruitt, who left to replace Smart at Alabama, earned $1.3 million a season ago.
Steele’s replacement at LSU, Dave Aranda, signed a three-year, $3.75 million deal that will pay him $1.2 million in 2016.
Don’t feel too bad for Steele, though.
In the final two years of his contract, the defensive coordinator is set to earn $100,000 bonuses, so he will be doing just fine at the end of his deal. And hey, I don’t think anyone who is making more than $1 million a year will do much complaining.
Can’t get enough of Campus Sports? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with the latest news and exclusive giveaways!
*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
