Michigan State coach Mel Tucker has company as the highest-paid in the Big Ten.
Ohio State on Wednesday announced coach Ryan Day will receive a two-year extension through 2028 and a raise to $9.5 million year. That ties him with Tucker as the highest-paid coach in the conference.
Day, who is entering his fourth season leading the Buckeyes, has a record of 34-4 with two Big Ten titles and a pair of appearances in the College Football Playoff. He is receiving a raise of $1.9 million from his previous $7.6 million annual salary in a deal that is pending approval by the Ohio State Board of Trustees, who are scheduled to vote on Thursday.
After a 2-5 record amid pandemic complications in his debut year leading Michigan State in 2020, Tucker guided the team to an 11-2 mark and top-10 finish in the national rankings last year for the biggest single-season turnaround in program history. He signed a 10-year, $95 million contract extension in November that is fully guaranteed and funded in part by Michigan State alumni Mat Ishbia and Steve St. Andre.
Alabama’s Nick Saban is scheduled to make $9.9 million this season, making him the highest-paid coach of a public school in the nation. Tucker, Day and first-year LSU coach Brian Kelly are all tied for second at $9.5 million this year. New USC coach Lincoln Riley’s deal is rumored to be similar in value but the terms are unknown because it is a private school and not subject to public records laws.
Day is 3-0 against Michigan State and 2-0 against Tucker. The Spartans host the Buckeyes on Oct. 8.
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