In our installments examining the salary market for both offensive and defensive coordinators, it was clear that Michigan's representatives were underpaid relative to their peers and their accomplishments.
Turns out, Michigan agreed.
In fact, according to documents obtained by MLive, Michigan issued 3-year extensions to offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter back in February. That was shortly after Jim Harbaugh ended his annual hostage negotiation NFL flirtation, thereby allowing the program to move forward with necessary business.
The deals for both coordinators are identical. Both men will make $1.15 million in 2023, $1.2 million in '24 and $1.25 million in '25. They'll earn a $100,000 bonus if they finish among the top two in the Big Ten and the top 10 in FBS in scoring, and $50,000 for each regular season win beyond the eighth.
The buyout structure is different, however. Moore would owe $1 million if he leaves before the end of the 2024 season and $500,000 thereafter. Minter, on the other hand, would owe $2 million if he took a college coordinator job before the end of next season, and $800,000 if he accepted an NFL coordinator position during the same time frame. The buyouts drop to $1.2 million and $600,000, respectively, between the end of the 2024 season and the conclusion of the contract.
Moore, 37, joined the program in 2018 as tight ends coach and has steadily risen the ranks to the maize and blue's sole offensive coordinator, a post he'll hold for the first time in 2023 following Matt Weiss's surprise firing in January. He was promoted to co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in 2021; Michigan is 25-3 with two Big Ten titles, two wins over Ohio State, two College Football Playoff appearances and two Joe Moore Awards (given to the nation's top offensive line) since that move. This fall he'll coordinate the offense while continuing to coach the offensive line.
Prior winners selected Moore as the FootballScoop Offensive Line Coach of the Year last season.
Minter, 39, joined the program last year and nearly left this winter to coordinate the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles' defense following Jonathan Gannon's ascension to the Arizona Cardinals' head coach. Michigan finished 2022 ranked seventh in yards per play (4.65), seventh in scoring (16.1 points per game), seventh in rushing defense (97.93 yards per game), and fifth in pass efficiency defense (107.59). He was a Broyles Award finalist.