LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule will make $5.5 million annually until the end of 2023, then see increases in base salary up to $12.5 million by 2030.
Rhule received an eight-year contract worth $74 million, Athletic Director Trev Alberts said Monday. It's 90% guaranteed, Alberts said.
It averages out to $9.25 million each year. A coach paid that much in 2022 would have been the fifth-highest-paid college football coach.
It is a larger and longer contract than other Husker coaches have received. Scott Frost received $5 million annually over seven years. Bo Pelini received $1.1 million annually over five years in his initial contract, according to ESPN.
The contract includes deferred compensation payments of $1 million if still employed on four dates in 2025, 2027, 2029 and 2030.
The contract includes bonuses as follows:
- $100,000 if Nebraska wins or ties for first in the Big Ten West division
- $200,000 for playing in the Big Ten Championship Game
- $300,000 for winning the Big Ten Championship Game
- $150,000 for a non-playoff bowl game appearance
- $250,000 for a playoff game
- $300,000 for a semi-final bowl game
- $350,000 for appearing in, but losing, the national championship game
- $650,000 for a national championship
The contract, as provided by the university, is below:
