Auburn's Coaching Payroll: How Many Football Coaches Are Still on the Tigers' Payroll?

Hello there, football fans! Today, we're diving into an interesting topic that's been buzzing around the sports world: how many football coaches is Auburn still paying? We know you're curious, so let's not waste any time and get right into it! Guys, explore more in Status Updates and how many football coaches is auburn still paying.

Auburn's Coaching History: A Quick Recap

Before we jump into the current payroll, let's take a quick peek into Auburn's coaching history. The Tigers have had their fair share of notable coaches, from the legendary Shug Jordan to the dynamic Tommy Tuberville, and of course, the controversial but successful Gus Malzahn.

The Gus Malzahn Era: A Mixed Bag

Speaking of Gus Malzahn, his tenure at Auburn is a perfect example of the ups and downs of college football coaching. He led the Tigers to an SEC Championship and a national title game appearance, but also had some lackluster seasons. In 2020, after a 6-4 season, Auburn decided to part ways with Malzahn. But here's where it gets interesting: how many football coaches is Auburn still paying from the Malzahn era?

Auburn's Coaching Payroll: The Numbers

As of now, Auburn is still paying five coaches from the Gus Malzahn era. Let's meet them:

1. Kodi Burns: The former Auburn quarterback returned to his alma mater in 2013 as a wide receivers coach. After Malzahn's departure, Burns stayed on as an offensive analyst. Auburn is still paying him, with a base salary of $275,000.

2. Tim Horton: Horton joined Auburn's staff in 2016 as the tight ends coach. After Malzahn's exit, he served as the interim head coach for the Birmingham Bowl. Auburn is still on the hook for Horton's $450,000 base salary.

3. Sal Sunseri: Sunseri joined Auburn in 2016 as the defensive line coach. After Malzahn's departure, he was retained as a senior analyst. Auburn is still paying him $325,000.

1. 4. Lance Thompson: Thompson has been a mainstay on Auburn's staff, serving as the offensive line coach since
2. 2013. After Malzahn's exit, he was retained as an offensive analyst. Auburn is still paying him $400,000.

5. Wesley McGriff: McGriff joined Auburn in 2016 as the defensive backs coach. After Malzahn's departure, he was retained as a senior defensive analyst. Auburn is still paying him $350,000.

The Bryan Harsin Era: A Fresh Start

With the departure of Gus Malzahn, Auburn welcomed new head coach Bryan Harsin in 2021. Harsin brought in his own staff, but Auburn is still paying the coaches from the Malzahn era a total of $1,800,000 per year.

The Impact on Auburn's Football Budget

So, how does this affect Auburn's football budget? Well, it's a significant chunk of change. According to Auburn's financial reports, the athletic department's total revenue in 2020 was around $100 million. The $1.8 million spent on coaches from the Malzahn era is a notable expense.

The Future: Buyouts and New Hires

As college football continues to evolve, so do the coaching salaries and buyouts. With the current landscape, it's not uncommon for schools to be paying multiple coaches from previous eras. As for Auburn, they'll continue to pay these coaches until their buyouts expire, while also investing in new hires to help Bryan Harsin build his team.

Wrapping Up

And there you have it, folks! We've explored how many football coaches is Auburn still paying, delved into the history of Auburn's coaching staff, and looked at the impact on the Tigers' football budget. It's an interesting topic that sheds light on the complex world of college football coaching salaries and buyouts. Until next time, stay tuned for more sports news and insights!