If you're an FCS program making a head coaching hire in the middle of a pandemic and the guy you hire is worth a reported $40 million, how much do you pay him?
About market rate, it turns out.
Jackson State released Deion Sanders's first contract as the Tigers' head coach, and the school will pay him an average of $300,000 per year on a deal that runs through Dec. 15, 2024.
Though Deion was hired in late September, his contract does not actually begin until Dec. 1, which allows him to finish out the season as the offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian High School in Cedar Hill, Texas, where his son Shedeur is finishing out his senior year.
His bonuses range from $5,000 for hitting a 970 APR score to $50,000 for winning the Celebration Bowl.
Deion also has a stake in selling tickets. The contract states he'll net 10 percent of the ticket revenue for every Jackson State game that surpasses 30,000 ticket sales.
Frankly, it's surprising Jackson State set the bar that low, considering their 2019 team averaged 33,762 fans per game -- best in the FCS.
“I believe that stadium gets 30,000, which is wonderful for an HBCU, but it holds 60,000. I believe that we can fill it," Sanders said at his introductory pep rally. "I love the way you tailgate, I love the tradition, but I believe we can now get your butt in the stadium and watch this team win."
Sanders would also net $100,000 if Jackson State moves to another conference.
The school would owe him the remainder of his contract should it fire Sanders without cause before Dec. 15, 2021, and $300,000 thereafter.
Additionally, sources say Gary Harrell will join the staff as assistant head coach.
Harrell, known as Coach Flea, currently serves as assistant head coach and running backs coach at Alabama State. Harrell previously worked as the head coach at Howard from 2011-16, and coached wide receivers at Florida Atlantic in between Howard and Alabama State.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.