Dave Aranda has become the highest paid assistant in college football, LSU confirmed in a news release.
The contract agreement — details in which LSU confirmed Wednesday in the release — with Aranda runs through March 31, 2020. Aranda coordinated LSU’s sixth-ranked scoring defense to allowing a mere 16.7 points per game this season (1.5 touchdowns per game).
“My family loves Baton Rouge,” Aranda said in the press release. “We are excited to build on what we’ve started. LSU is a special place. Our outstanding student-athletes, the passion of our fans, the first class facilities and the commitment to excellence from the administration makes LSU one of the premier programs in college football and I’m thrilled to be part of it.”
The new deal includes a first-year salary of $1.8 million, $1.85 in 2018 and $1.9 in 2019, if no change is made to Aranda’s current bonus structure. Aranda also receives the title of associate head coach, the release said.
Aranda, originally, signed a $1.2 million deal with former coach Les Miles. The $600,000 raise to $1.8 million bumps Aranda ahead of the former highest-paid assistant in college football ($1.6 million a year) last year.
“We believe Coach Aranda is the best defensive coordinator in the country,” said LSU athletic director Joe Alleva. “We wanted to make sure he came home to an agreement that was fitting of the best.”
Aranda’s buyout is 40 percent of his remaining guaranteed base salary if he accepts a non-head coaching position within 500 miles of Baton Rouge and 15 percent if outside of 500 miles. After Dec. 1, 2019, there is no buyout provision.
“We are pleased to have the best defensive coordinator in all of college football with us at LSU,” said LSU coach Ed Orgeron, who first announced the agreement Sunday night. “Dave is an outstanding, coach, teacher and man. We are fortunate to have him as an LSU Tiger.”
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