HUGH FREEZE, HEAD COACH
$6,500,000 per year through 1/31/29. He is paid $500,000 as a salary, $3,125,000 for personal endorsement rights and $3,125,000 for media appearances and personal appearances. (The two big portions of Freeze's compensation are paid by Tigers Unlimited.)
His bonus schedule is as follows:
• Annual retention bonus of $225,000 on Feb. 1.
• SEC wins after the fourth win each season: $150,000 each
• Qualify for the SEC championship game: $200,000
• Win the SEC title: $200,000
• Go to a minor bowl: $50,000
• Go to SEC Group of 6 bowl: $150,000
• Go to a New Year's Six bowl: $200,000 (it's $250,000 if they win)
• Go to the CFB Playoff: $750,000
• Play in the final: $1,000,000
• Win the national title: $2,000,000
• Named SEC Coach of The Year: $75,000
• Named national coach of the year (by major organization): $75,000
• Academic scores: From $25,000 to $150,000
*********
His buyout protection is 75% of the remaining contract, payable monthly through the conclusion of the contract.
*********
His buyout fee is $5 million if he terminates the deal before Jan. 31, 2026
The fee is reduced to $4 million he terminates between Feb. 1, 2026 and Jan. 31, 2027.
The fee is reduced to $3 million he terminates between Feb. 1, 2027 and Jan. 31, 2028.
The fee is reduced to $2 million he terminates between Feb. 1, 2028 and Jan. 31, 2029.
DERRICK NIX, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/RB COACH
$800,000 per year through 1/31/27.
Automatic escalator (raise) each year of $100,000.
Retention bonus of $100,000 payable on Feb. 1, 2025, and Feb. 1, 2026.
OTHER BONUSES:
• Win a national title: 25% of his current salary
• Lose the national title game: 20% of his current salary
• Qualify for the national semifinal: 16% of his current salary
• Qualify for the CFB playoff: 12% of his current salary
• Qualify for the Gator, ReliaQuest or Citrus bowls: 8% of his current salary
• Qualify for the Music City, Texas, Duke's Mayo or Las Vegas bowl: 6% of his current salary
• Qualify for the Birmingham, Liberty or Independence bowls: 4% of his current salary
• Win the SEC Championship game: $30,000
• Lose the SEC Championship game: $15,000
*********
BUYOUT FEE: If Nix leaves for another coaching job the final regular season game of the 2024 season, he will owe $2 million. If he leaves after the 2024 season but before the final regular season game of the 2025 season, he will owe $1 million. If he leaves after the 2025 season but before the final regular season game of the 2026 season, he will owe $500,000.
*There is no fee if Nix leaves for an FBS head coach position, a play-calling coordinator position or any job in the NFL.
BUYOUT PROTECTION: The contract is 100% guaranteed at all times. It does not include a mitigation clause.
Hired away from Ole Miss on 1/17/24.
D.J. DURKIN, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/LINEBACKERS
$1.2 million per year through 1/31/27.
Automatic escalator (raise) each year of $200,000.
BONUSES:
• Win a national title: 25% of his current salary
• Lose the national title game: 20% of his current salary
• Qualify for the national semifinal: 16% of his current salary
• Qualify for the CFB playoff: 12% of his current salary
• Qualify for the Gator, ReliaQuest or Citrus bowls: 8% of his current salary
• Qualify for the Music City, Texas, Duke's Mayo or Las Vegas bowl: 6% of his current salary
• Qualify for the Birmingham, Liberty or Independence bowls: 4% of his current salary
• Win the SEC Championship game: $30,000
• Lose the SEC Championship game: $15,000
****
BUYOUT FEE: If Durkin leaves for another coaching job before Dec. 20, 2024, he owes $500,000. If he leaves for another job after Dec. 31, 2024 but before Dec. 20, 2025, he would owe $250,000. The fee drops to $125,000 after that.
*There is no fee if Durkin leaves for an FBS head coach position or any job in the NFL.
BUYOUT PROTECTION: The contract is 100% guaranteed, but includes a mitigation clause for future employment as an assistant coach elsewhere.
Hired away from Texas A&M on 1/31/24.
CHARLES KELLY, CO-DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/SAFETIES
$875,000 per year through 1/31/27.
Automatic escalator (raise) each year of $75,000.
OTHER BONUSES:
• Win a national title: 25% of his current salary
• Lose the national title game: 20% of his current salary
• Qualify for the national semifinal: 16% of his current salary
• Qualify for the CFB playoff: 12% of his current salary
• Qualify for the Gator, ReliaQuest or Citrus bowls: 8% of his current salary
• Qualify for the Music City, Texas, Duke's Mayo or Las Vegas bowl: 6% of his current salary
• Qualify for the Birmingham, Liberty or Independence bowls: 4% of his current salary
• Win the SEC Championship game: $30,000
• Lose the SEC Championship game: $15,000
********
BUYOUT FEE: If Kelly leaves for another coaching job the final regular season game of the 2024 season, he will owe the full value of the contract. If he leaves after the 2024 season but before the final regular season game of the 2025 season, he will owe 50% of his salary. If he leaves after the 2025 season but before the final regular season game of the 2026 season, he will owe 25% of his salary.
*There is no fee if Kelly leaves for an FBS head coach position, a play-calling coordinator position or any job in the NFL.
BUYOUT PROTECTION: The contract is 100% guaranteed at all times. It does not include a mitigation clause.
Hired away from Colorado on 1/12/24.
