Ohio State makes Urban Meyer highest-paid Big Ten coach, extends contract through 2020

Tim Moody
Tue, 14 Apr 2015 02:44:14 +0000
Football, Sports, Top News, Buckeyes, ohio state, osu, Urban Meyer

Job security won’t be a concern for Urban Meyer, at least through 2020.

The Ohio State football coach was given a three-year extension to his contract that will keep him in Columbus through 2020, and make him the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten, the school announced in a Monday press release. Meyer’s contract extension comes three months and a day after he led the Buckeyes to a victory over Oregon in the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship.

“Urban Meyer has done an excellent job strengthening our culture of commitment to academics, career development and winning championships,” OSU vice president and athletic director Gene Smith said in the release.

“Additionally, he continues to develop his coaches and attract talented leaders when needed.”

Meyer was set to earn $4.9 million in 2015, but under the terms of his new contract he will make $5.8 million in total compensation this year, the release said. His contract also includes annual raises, which will make him average a minimum of $6.5 million each year through the end of his contract.

Meyer said in the release that he is “honored to serve as football coach at the Ohio State University,” and he thanked Smith and OSU President Michael Drake.

Meyer, entering his fourth year with OSU, has led the Buckeyes to a 38-3 record, including the national title last season. His team currently has the longest active winning streak in the NCAA at 13 games.

The Ashtabula, Ohio, native also won two national titles while coaching Florida before winning his first 24 games as the head man in Columbus. His head coaching career has spanned four schools and resulted in a 142-26 record to date.