Texas A&M has already made it clear that cash will not be a big impediment with regards to soccer.
The Aggies handed Jimbo Fisher a profitable contract to pry him away from Florida State in 2017, raised his wage with a 2021 extension, after which agreed to pay his gargantuan $76 million buyout when he was fired on Nov. 12.
Two weeks later, Texas A&M lasered in on Fisher’s substitute, bringing again former defensive coordinator and Duke head coach Mike Elko to guide this system. Elko was introduced in as Fisher’s defensive play-caller in 2018 and spent 4 seasons in Faculty Station earlier than touchdown the job in Durham.
Probably the greatest leaders and coaches in faculty soccer has been named the subsequent head soccer coach at Texas A&M.
Welcome again to Aggieland, @CoachMikeElko!
🔗 » https://t.co/ARPmQHOTX1 | #GigEm pic.twitter.com/x89fVDfnzw
— Texas A&M Soccer (@AggieFootball) November 27, 2023
Elko is not essentially a flashy title for a program that has tried to place itself as a powerhouse wealthy with assets, however he is aware of the realm and exceeded expectations at Duke with back-to-back successful seasons and an upset win over Clemson. Elko additionally did not come low-cost, although he isn’t fairly making Fisher cash.
MORE: Why rumors of Mark Stoops to Texas A&M did not come to fruition
This is a more in-depth take a look at the contract Elko acquired to grow to be Texas A&M’s head coach.
Mike Elko contract particulars
Texas A&M gave Elko a <a href="http://
A replica of Mike Elko's Texas A&M contract time period sheet. It's a six-year deal for $7 million per yr. Massive incentives for postseason benchmarks. If he reaches the Faculty Soccer Playoff or wins the SEC, the contract routinely extends for 1 yr. pic.twitter.com/RXpw9vLiaB
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) November 27, 2023
“>six-year, $42 million contract to grow to be head soccer coach.
At $7 million per yr, Elko’s annual wage is available in at barely lower than Fisher’s preliminary $7.5 million wage to educate the Aggies. In fact, teaching salaries have usually risen during the last six years, and Fisher would finally signal a brand new deal to bump his wage as much as $9.5 million per yr.
Texas A&M employed Fisher with visions of changing into a championship contender, and people hopes have not disappeared simply because his tenure wasn’t a hit. Elko’s contract is wealthy with incentives that may hit if the Aggies discovered nationwide success.
Listed here are the incentives included in Elko’s deal:
- $3.5 million: Win nationwide championship
- $2.5 million: Attain nationwide championship sport
- $2 million: Attain Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinals
- $1.5 million: Attain Faculty Soccer Playoff quarterfinals
- $1 million: Earn Faculty Soccer Playoff berth
- $100,000: Seem in SEC championship sport
- $100,000: Win nationwide coach of the yr
- $50,000: Win SEC coach of the yr
- $50,000: Obtain educational progress of 960 over a number of years
Elko would earn an extra $1 million only for making the Faculty Soccer Playoff alone, which is definitely inside attain contemplating the playoff will increase to 12 groups in 2024. Elko’s deal additionally routinely extends one yr if the Aggies attain the Faculty Soccer Playoff.
Texas A&M is making Elko earn high greenback, which definitely appears smart after Fisher was unable to ship on the promise of successful a nationwide title and even reaching the playoff.
As for Elko’s buyout, Texas A&M would owe him 75 % of the remaining contract if he is fired within the first three years of the deal and 80 % of the remaining contract if he is fired within the latter three years of the deal.
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Highest-paid faculty soccer coaches
Elko has the chance to make important cash by way of incentives, however his $7 million annual wage would not rank among the many high 10 within the nation. As of now, Elko is tied with Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz for the 18th-highest annual wage in faculty soccer.
This is a take a look at the 10 highest-paid faculty soccer coaches, a gaggle led by Alabama’s Nick Saban.
| Coach | Annual wage | College |
| Nick Saban | $11.four million | Alabama |
| Dabo Swinney | $10.9 million | Clemson |
| Kirby Sensible | $10.7 million | Georgia |
| Ryan Day | $10.Three million | Ohio State |
| Lincoln Riley | $10 million* | USC |
| Brian Kelly | $9.9 million | LSU |
| Mark Stoops | $9.01 million | Kentucky |
| Josh Heupel | $9 million | Tennessee |
| Lane Kiffin | $9 million | Ole Miss |
| James Franklin | $8.5 million | Penn State |
* — As a result of USC is a personal college, Riley’s wage is not publicly disclosed. His estimated wage $10 million relies on media experiences.
