With the rapid rise in salaries for head coaches (see: Jimbo Fisher's $75 million contract), it was only a matter of time before we saw an assistant coach get a big money deal.
That's exactly what LSU is reportedly giving defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, as ESPN's Adam Rittenberg brings word that LSU is giving Aranda a four-year, $10 million contract ($2.5 million annually) to remain at the school under head coach Ed Orgeron.
Rittenberg reports that the amount is fully guaranteed. The $2.5 million annual salary puts Aranda in the Top 50 of all college football coaches.
The reason for the large contract came down to two things; obviously LSU has a large amount of trust in what Aranda can do for the defense, and the Tigers had to make a big play to keep Aranda from jumping ship to Texas A&M. Aranda had reportedly turned down multiple offers to join Fisher's staff at A&M, but the Aggies had made one last push recent to steal Aranda away.
Aranda, previously a coordinator with Wisconsin, will enter his third year at LSU in the 2018 season.
