Oklahoma Sooners Football: Salary details released for Lincoln Riley, assistants

According to reports from the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents meeting, Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley will make $6 million in 2019 (up from $4.8 million in 2018), making him the eighth-highest paid coach in college football. His deal is good for five years and includes a $1 million stay bonus in 2021.

Additionally, newly-hired defensive coordinator Alex Grinch will earn $1.4 million in 2019, which will make him the highest-paid assistant coach in school history. He’ll be the 10th-highest paid assistant in the country after making $800,000 at Ohio State last season.

New defensive assistants Roy Manning (cornerbacks) and Brian Odom (inside linebackers) will make $425,000 and $375,000, respectively, in 2019. Other assistants, including Bill Bedenbaugh) received raises.

2019 Coaching Salaries (via George Stoia, OU Daily)

HC/QB Lincoln Riley - $6,000,000

OC/OL Bill Bedenbaugh - $750,000

Co-OC/IWR/RC Cale Gundy - $535,000

RB Jay Boulware - $470,000

AHC/TE Shane Beamer - $470,000

OWR Dennis Simmons - $460,000

DC/S Alex Grinch - $1,400,000

AHC/OLB Ruffin McNeill - $575,000

ILB Brian Odom - $375,000

DL Calvin Thibodeaux - $375,000

CB Roy Manning - $425,000

Riley receiving a raise and extension was announced by OU several weeks ago, but it’s encouraging to see a number this high next to the guy’s name. With the NFL sure to show interest in the guy for years to come, the university needed to compensate the rising star competitively. With a salary that is now in the top 10 and will increase from year to year, this checks that box. Equally important, however, is OU’s willingness to pony up for his assistants, and Grinch’s salary is sure to keep everyone happy in that regard.