Utah State believes it has to keep pace with the rest of the country as college football programs prepare for revenue sharing, increased coaching salaries and NIL budgets.
And the contract for its new head football coach indicates an increased investment.
Bronco Mendenhall signed a six-year deal worth over $12.9 million on Friday. Mendenhall’s base salary starts at $2 million for the first season with increases every year.
That is a significant step up from former head coach Blake Anderson, who was making under $1.5 million in 2023.
USU will also pay New Mexico State a $2 million buyout for Mendenhall’s contract in installments over the next three years.
Mendenhall’s assistant coaches' budget will also increase. He will get $3.5 million in year one and increase by $500,000 every year. By year six, the assistant pool will run up to $6 million.
If Mendenhall takes another job, his buyout will be $3 million after year one. It decreases by $500,000 each season, until it gets to $500,000 by year six.
But if USU fires him, it will have to pay out Mendenhall’s entire remaining salary — regardless of the year.
