Ohio State's new linebackers coach is set to make significantly less than its old one.
| Coach | Position | Base |
|---|---|---|
| URBAN MEYER | HC | $6,003,000 |
| GREG SCHIANO | DC/SAF | $700,000 |
| KEVIN WILSON | OC/TE | $650,000 |
| BILL DAVIS | LB | $500,000 |
| KERRY COOMBS | CB/ST | $500,000 |
| LARRY JOHNSON | AHC/DL | $479,000 |
| TONY ALFORD | AHC/RB | $450,000 |
| RYAN DAY | QB | $400,000 |
| GREG STUDRAWA | OL | $400,000 |
| ZACH SMITH | WR | $300,000 |
Bill Davis is slated to earn a base salary of $500,000 as part of a 1-year deal with the Buckeyes for the 2017 season, according to his contract. Former linebackers coach and defensive coordinator and current Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell made $754,500 last season, Urban Meyer's highest paid assistant coach.
The figures are a result of a public record request submitted by Eleven Warriors on Dec. 21 and filled Wednesday. Ohio State announced its promotion of Davis from defensive quality control to linebackers coach on Dec. 21. Davis signed his contract with the Buckeyes on May 8. It is set to expire on Jan. 31, 2018.
Davis's base salary ranks near the middle of the rest of what Ohio State paid its assistants last season, just ahead of defensive line coach Larry Johnson.
Davis is in line to be the first new face as Ohio State's linebackers coach since Fickell served as the program's interim head coach during its forgetful 2011 season. Prior to that, Fickell was the linebackers coach from 2004-10.
Before working at Ohio State, Davis spent two decades in the NFL. He was the defensive coordinator for three difference franchises: the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and most recently Philadelphia Eagles.
Davis was the first new name added to Meyer's staff upon conclusion of the 2016 season, and his came before the Buckeyes lost to Clemson 31-0 in the Fiesta Bowl. Meyer also hired Kevin Wilson and Ryan Day in place of Ed Warinner and Tim Beck as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Here are the various bonuses Davis is entitled to as outlined in his contract if certain stipulations are met, plus other perks:
- An 8.5 percent base salary supplemental compensation for winning the Big Ten East Division.
- A 4.25 percent base salary supplemental compensation for winning the Big Ten Championship.
- Participation in a College Football Playoff postseason game: 17 percent base salary additional compensation.
- Participation in non-College Football Playoff postseason game and 9-win season: 4.25 percent of base salary bonus.
- Participation in semifinals (but not finals) of College Football Playoff: 21.25 percent base salary additional compensation.
- If Ohio State wins the CFP semifinal, Davis is not entitled to his 21.25 percent additional base salary compensation. Instead, he receives an additional 25.5 percent base salary compensation.
- A car loan of $600 per month.
- Six football season tickets and two men's basketball season tickets, free of charge.
