The storming emergence of Michigan football back into the national spotlight has certainly grabbed plenty of attention over the last two seasons since Jim Harbaugh took over as head coach.
On Tuesday, the school disclosed contract information regarding three of Harbaugh's assistants on the coaching staff beginning in 2017 – defensive coordinator Don Brown, offensive coordinator Tim Drevno and newly-hired passing game coordinator Pep Hamilton.
Three Michigan football assistants eclipse $1M mark @chengelishttps://t.co/ysVyQjzCPw pic.twitter.com/bQrZTsgoA1
— The Detroit News (@detroitnews) January 24, 2017
Brown just finished up his first season as the defensive coordinator at Michigan and his defense, flooded with play-makers at every level, earned themselves top-tier rankings in most major categories across the board in 2016. Brown was also named a candidate for the Broyles Award (top assistant coach) back in November. Here are the details of his contract:
Don Brown contract pic.twitter.com/tc4UmiGkZI
— angelique (@chengelis) January 24, 2017
Should Brown stay at Michigan through the duration of his new contract, he will have made $6.8 million. As the contract details, he will owe the school $250K should he leave for another coaching position. He will not have any ‘penalty' should he choose to retire from coaching.
Tim Drevno just completed his second season as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach under Harbaugh in Ann Arbor. He's been riding shotgun along side Harbaugh for some time now, four seasons at Stanford University (2007-10) and three with the 49ers (2011-13) in the NFL. Drevno's name popped up over the last month and change regarding possible head coaching vacancies, most notably the Western Michigan position after P.J. Fleck left for Minnesota and before the team hired Tim Lester.
Here's a look at Drevno's contract:
Drevno contract pic.twitter.com/kHBjbIhLTq
— angelique (@chengelis) January 24, 2017
Like Brown, Drevno has some additional clauses. For the duration of his five-year pact, he would make $5.15 million. Leaving mid-deal for another assistant coaching role means $150K out of his pocket and to the school. Should Drevno accept a heading coaching job along the way, he owes nothing to the university.
Alfonza “Pep” Hamilton, 42, is the new kid on the block in Ann Arbor. The school officially hired Hamilton on January 13, calling it an”honor and a privilege” to be a part of Michigan football. Hamilton spent the 2016 season as the assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach for the Browns in the NFL. His last college gig was from 2010-12 at where else but Stanford. His first year, as the wide receivers coach, was Harbaugh's last season in Palo Alto.
Unlike Brown and Drevno, Hamilton's deal is for four seasons. It too comes with some additional clauses:
Pep Hamilton contract pic.twitter.com/GQhpAEzuD1
— angelique (@chengelis) January 24, 2017
Hamilton can receive $4.95 million if he stays in Ann Arbor through his entire deal, including $700K in retention bonuses. An additional bonus of $150K kicks in 30 days after officially signing the deal, which was agreed upon back on January 9. Should he leave for another position before December 2 of this calendar year, he will be forfeiting that very bonus right back to the school.
So when you add it all up, this trio of Wolverines assistants have a multi-year deal that is just north of $17 million, should all three stick around though the end of their respective deals.
