Ryan Day made $400,000 last season, his first as Ohio State co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. In 2019, his first as Buckeyes' head coach, he'll make $4.5 million, which is $3.1 million lower than the 2018 salary of Urban Meyer but still the highest salary for a first-time head coach in college football history.
Day, who rejected (at least) two job offers last offseason, including Mississippi State head coach, was promoted to offensive coordinator this year and given a $600,00 raise, bumping his annual salary to $1 million (with a three-year contract). He was acting head coach for the Buckeyes' first three games as Meyer served a suspension and, on Tuesday, announced as the successor to Meyer beginning Jan. 2, one day after Ohio State plays Washington in the Rose Bowl.
The $4.5 million salary is part of a five-year, $22.5-millon contract, and is the highest first-year salary for first-time FBS head coach. It's more than Kirby Smart's 2016 salary of $3.75 million and Lincoln Riley's 2017 salary of $3.1 million.
Some details from Day's contract:
Begins: Jan. 2, 2019
Ends: Jan. 31, 2014
Base Compensation $850,000
Other Payments: $2.39 million (media), $1.25 million (apparel), $10,000 (Coca-Cola)
Notable Bonuses: Big Ten East champion: $50,000, Big Ten Championship game, $100,000, College Football Playoff National Championship appearance, $350,000, Big Ten Coach of the Year, $50,000, National Coach of the Year, $75,000
