A New Era Dawns in Knoxville

In case you missed it,a truly historic event has occurred in Knoxville.  The new Vol defensive coordinator, Monte Kiffin, will earn in excess of $1 million next year.  As far as I can tell, he is the first coordinator in college football to earn over a million dollars a year.  Not that Kiffin isn't worth that handsome sum.  He is one of the best defensive minds in football, at any level.  The inventor of the Tampa Two defense, Kiffin was the highest paid assistant in the NFL last year.  He left Tampa Bay to join his son's staff in Knoxville.  Welcome to the era of the million dollar coordinator. 

The Kiffins have already landed a big recruit in new defensive line coach, Ed Orgeron (much to the delight of Sean Payton).  Everybody knows and has laughed at Coach O, but the guy is a powerful recruiter and a quality DL coach.  He's set to bring down over $500,000 next year.  Uh, he's a position coach and will still be paid way more than most coordinators in the SEC.  LSU was ready to pay Orgeron more than it's new defensive coordiantor, John Chavis, who Monte is replacing.  

With these two hires, Tennessee is blowing the assistant pay scale out of the water. Where does this stop?  It won't.  A program will soon need six million dollars just to fill its top three coaching slots.  Jimmy Sexton reigns supreme.

By the way, Willie Martinez grossed $310,333 last year.

Quinton