UCLA Football Coaching Salary History: A Program in Transition
The UCLA football program finds itself at a pivotal juncture, marked by coaching changes, financial considerations, and the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics. This article delves into the recent history of UCLA's football coaching salaries, the factors influencing those figures, and the broader context of the program's current state.
Recent Coaching Changes and Financial Realities
The 2024 season has been turbulent for UCLA. DeShaun Foster's brief tenure as head coach ended abruptly after only 15 games, punctuated by a 35-10 defeat against New Mexico. Foster's dismissal after a 0-3 start to the season underscored the urgency for change within the program. He was hired in February 2024 following Chip Kelly's departure to become Ohio State’s offensive coordinator. The timing of Kelly's exit limited UCLA's options, leading them to Foster, an alumnus and recent Bruins assistant.
UCLA's financial challenges are significant. Financial reports from 2024 revealed a $200 million loss over the preceding five years. While the move to the Big Ten conference promises increased revenue, the pressure to generate an additional $20 million annually is palpable. The program's struggle to attract fans, evidenced by low football ticket revenue figures compared to other Big Ten teams, further compounds the issue.
DeShaun Foster's Contract Details
DeShaun Foster's contract reflected the program's financial constraints. His five-year contract, starting at $3 million in the first year, was approximately half the annual value of Chip Kelly’s contract. The agreement included $100,000 raises each year, reaching $3.4 million in the fifth year. Foster also received a $250,000 hiring bonus. The contract included retention bonuses of $500,000 payable on March 15, 2026, and March 15, 2028, if he remained employed by the school.
Foster's buyout was structured as a declining percentage of his remaining salary. If UCLA terminated his contract after his second season, they would owe 60% of his remaining Year 3 salary and 50% of his remaining salaries in Years 4 and 5, totaling approximately $5.27 million. Should Foster leave UCLA before December 31, 2024, he would owe the school $10 million. This figure decreased over time, dropping to $1 million if he left on or before December 31, 2028.
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Performance-based bonuses were also included in Foster’s contract. These included $50,000 for six wins, with additional increments for each subsequent win up to 10 games. Qualifying for and winning the Big Ten championship game would earn him $100,000 each. Bowl game appearances and victories, College Football Playoff qualifications and wins, and top AP poll rankings also triggered bonus payments. Additional bonuses were available for being named Big Ten coach of the year ($50,000) or national coach of the year ($100,000).
Chip Kelly's Salary and Staff Compensation (2024)
In 2024, UCLA's football coaches were set to earn a record $10,172,500 in salary and bonuses, a 3.2% increase from the previous year. Chip Kelly's salary accounted for more than half of this total, at $5.6 million, including a $1 million retention bonus payable on December 15.
The compensation for Kelly's assistant coaches in 2024 was as follows:
- Defensive Coordinator Bill McGovern: $900,000 annually (two-year contract)
- Offensive Line Coach Tim Drevno: $560,000
- Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs Coach/Defensive Passing Game Coordinator Brian Norwood: $535,000
- Inside Linebackers Coach Ken Norton Jr.: $437,500
- Quarterbacks Coach Ryan Gunderson: $410,000
- Outside Linebackers Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Ikaika Malloe: $390,000
- Running Backs Coach DeShaun Foster: $385,000
- Defensive Line Coach Chad Kauha’aha’a: $335,000
- Tight Ends Coach Jeff Faris and Wide Receivers Coach Jerry Neuheisel: $310,000 each
The total compensation for the coaching staff was projected to increase to $10,357,500 in the second year of their contracts, with each assistant eligible for up to $100,000 in performance bonuses annually.
These assistant coaches had two-year contracts that stipulated full payment of their base salaries and talent fees if UCLA terminated them without cause. The coaches were required to pay the school varying amounts if they departed before their contracts expired. For McGovern, leaving before December 31, 2023, would require paying half his remaining salary unless he took a head coaching job in college or a head coach, coordinator, or position coach role in the NFL. Other assistants would owe UCLA $50,000 if they left early, with specific waiver conditions based on their subsequent employment.
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Kelly's buyout stipulated that he would receive 70% of his remaining salary, talent fee, and retention bonuses through December 15, 2023, if UCLA dismissed him without cause by that date. The buyout dropped to zero after December 16, 2023.
The bonus structure for assistant coaches included incentives for appearances in the Pac-12 championship game ($15,000), any bowl game ($10,000), a New Year’s Six bowl game ($20,000), the College Football Playoff semifinal ($10,000), the College Football Playoff championship ($20,000), and a national championship ($25,000). Assistants could also earn up to $10,000 for participating in camps and clinics.
New Hires and Contract Details (2025)
UCLA made several new hires for the 2025 season, each with specific contract terms. Eric Bieniemy was brought in as the new offensive coordinator under a two-year contract at $550,000 per year. Bieniemy was to receive a $180,000 hiring bonus if he remained employed through December 7, 2025, along with retention bonuses of $275,000 payable on January 31, 2025, and July 31, 2025, if he was still with UCLA.
Ikaika Malloe was promoted to defensive coordinator in December, following D’Anton Lynn’s departure to USC. Malloe’s two-year contract paid him $1 million per year, matching Lynn’s previous salary. New defensive line coach Tony Washington Jr. received a two-year contract paying $320,000 in the first year (including a $20,000 hiring bonus) and $320,000 in the second year. New quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler also signed a two-year contract for $320,000 per year. According to contract terms, if Foster did not retain Washington or Fessler as part of his staff overhaul, the jettisoned coach would receive his full remaining salary.
Evaluating the UCLA Football Job
Despite its location in Southern California and affiliation with the Big Ten, the UCLA football coaching position presents both opportunities and challenges.
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Recent History/Tradition: While UCLA boasts a storied history and plays home games at the Rose Bowl, its recent performance has been inconsistent. The program has not won a conference championship since 1998. While Jim Mora achieved 10-win seasons in 2013 and 2014, the program regressed, and Kelly, after building the team to a nine-game winner in 2022, ultimately left for an assistant coaching position.
On-field Outlook: The current roster, ranked 26th in 247Sports’ Team Talent Composite, includes former five-star recruit quarterback Nico Iamaleava. However, the team's performance has been underwhelming, ranking poorly in both offensive and defensive yards per play.
Money Matters: UCLA faces financial constraints, having lost $200 million over the past five years. The move to the Big Ten is expected to improve revenue, but the program lags behind other conference teams in football ticket revenue.
University Stability: Athletic director Martin Jarmond is well-regarded, and the new chancellor, Dr. Julio Frenk, has expressed support for athletics. However, the university faces political and financial uncertainties.
Potential Coaching Candidates
Several candidates could be considered for the UCLA head coaching position:
- D'Anton Lynn: The USC defensive coordinator, who previously improved UCLA's defense in 2023.
- Dan Mullen: The UNLV head coach, who has quickly turned the program around.
- Jonathan Smith: The Michigan State head coach, who has West Coast ties.
- Ryan Silverfield: The Memphis head coach, who has maintained a winning record.
- Clark Lea: The Vanderbilt head coach, who has improved the program despite resource limitations.
- Jedd Fisch: The Washington head coach, who has previous experience with UCLA.
- Kalani Sitake: The BYU head coach, who has a strong winning record.
- Matt Campbell: The Iowa State head coach, known for building a tough program.
- PJ Fleck: The Minnesota head coach, who was previously considered for the UCLA job.
- Will Stein and Tosh Lupoi: Oregon's offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively.
- Nate Scheelhaase: The Los Angeles Rams pass game coordinator.
- Tony White: The Florida State defensive coordinator, a former UCLA linebacker.
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