The Michigan Wolverines have prioritized keeping its two star coordinators in Sherrone Moore and Jesse Minter for the long haul.
By smartly extending their two outstanding coordinators in Sherrone Moore and Jesse Minter, Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines should be set up for success for years to come.
Michigan has emerged as the team to beat in the Big Ten over the last two years. Much of this has come from the strong identity Moore has put forth in the trenches with his offensive linemen. Despite losing Josh Gattis to the Miami Hurricanes last year and Matt Weiss being terminated, Moore projects as the next hotshot offensive-minded head coach coming out of Big Ten Country.
Let’s take a look at what Moore and Minter will be making on their new contract extensions.
Michigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore contract extension details
Moore inked a three-year extension with the Wolverines back on Feb. 16. They will be paying him $3.6 million over the next three seasons, locking Moore in with Michigan through the 2025 campaign. His average annual salary has gone up from $1 million with this extension. He is slated to make $1.15 million in 2023, $1.2 million in 2024 and $1.25 million in 2025. Wait, there’s more!
Moore can earn $100,000 as a bonus if the Wolverines offense is either top-two in the Big Ten or top-10 nationally. There is also a $50,000 pay bump for every win beyond eight in a single campaign. So if the Wolverines make the College Football Playoff, we are looking at least $150,000 in pay bump from additional wins. There is also a favorable buyout baked into all this…
There is a $1 million buyout if he leaves Michigan before the end of the 2024 college football season. That number is cut in half to only $500,000 after the 2025 campaign. But even more interesting, he would not have to pay a dime in that situation if he were to leave for a Power Five head-coaching gig of his own. One would expect he will be leading his own team by 2026 easily.
For a guy whose position group has transformed the program and being the lone offensive coordinator/play caller in the wake of Weiss’ untimely firing, Moore deserves every penny here.
Now, let’s take a look at what Michigan is paying Minter in his contract extension as well.
Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter contract extension details
Minter’s deal with Michigan was signed not long after Moore’s on March 2. In terms of overall structure, it is identical to what Moore is making in terms of length, payout, incentives, etc. However, there is one major caveat between the deal he is getting and the one the university doled out to Moore. Minter will have to pay a steeper buyout to leave Michigan prematurely.
He would have to pay a whopping $2 million if he were to leave the Wolverines before the end of the 2024 campaign. It would cost him $1.2 million to leave for another Big Ten team in year three, $1 million for any other FBS program. If he were to go to the NFL, his buyout in the first two years would be $800,000 and it would drop down to $600,000 after year three. There is a reason for it.
Minter had been on Harbaugh’s older brother John’s staff for years with the Baltimore Ravens. Jim Harbaugh has made it a point to recruit defensive minds off his brother’s team. Look no further than Michigan essentially loaning out Mike Macdonald as their temporary defensive coordinator. Macdonald return to Baltimore to replace the long-entrenched Don “Wink” Martindale as their DC.
Minter did interview for the defensive coordinator vacancy with the Philadelphia Eagles after Jonathan Gannon left for the head-coaching opportunity with the Arizona Cardinals. While Moore projects as a future Power Five head coach, Minter’s career trajectory might suggest a return to the NFL at some point. Furthermore, the Macdonald pathway back to the league makes sense.
So what does all of this mean?
Well, Michigan is clearly showing a strong financial commitment to keep its top-flight coaches on Harbaugh’s staff for as long as possible. Given that Ohio State is no longer the top dog in-conference, now is the time for unity for the Michigan faithful. Although they may not have the horses to keep up with the Georgias of the world, good for them for pushing in all of their chips.
These are the type of offseason moves that will make or break contending college programs.
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