In faculty soccer, the position of assistant coaches is essential, typically overshadowed by the headliners but pivotal to a workforce’s success. As we highlight the High 10 Highest-Paid Assistant Coaches in School Soccer, together with each offensive coordinators (OCs) and defensive coordinators (DCs), we’re not simply speaking ways and performs. These people are the architects of a few of the most formidable faculty groups within the nation, rewarded with salaries that match their important contributions.
Now, let’s pull again the curtain on the fiscal scoreboard that usually goes unnoticed. These are the school soccer play-callers and defensive masterminds whose financial institution accounts are as spectacular because the on-field performances of the athletes they mentor.
High 10 Highest-Paid School Soccer Assistant Coaches
Bounce to:
- 10. Andy Ludwig, Utah Utes – $1.85 Million
- T5. Kevin Steele, Alabama Crimson Tide – $1.9 Million
- T5. Tommy Rees, Alabama Crimson Tide – $1.9 Million
- T5. Pete Golding, Mississippi Rebels – $1.9 Million
- T5. Matt Home, LSU Tigers – $1.9 Million
- T5. Jeff Lebby, Oklahoma Sooners – $1.9 Million
- 4. Glenn Schumann, Georgia Bulldogs – $1.902 Million
- 3. Jim Knowles, Ohio State Buckeyes – $1.96 Million
- 2. Ryan Grubb, Washington Huskies – $2 Million
- 1. Garrett Riley, Clemson Tigers – $2.05 Million
10. Andy Ludwig, OC, Utah – $1.85 Million
Beginning us off at tenth within the listing of the highest-paid assistant coaches is Utah’s offensive coordinator, Andy Ludwig. Ludwig joined the Utes in 2019 after the workforce averaged round 28 factors per recreation. On the finish of the 2022 season, Utah was averaging over 38 factors per recreation, a rise of 10 factors per recreation over Ludwig’s four-year span as OC.
His tenure has been highlighted by Utah’s back-to-back Pac-12 Championships in 2021 and 2022. Within the 2022 championship recreation, the Utes put up 47 factors in a victory over USC.
Utah has struggled with accidents on offense this yr, however Ludwig has nonetheless performed an admirable job main the workforce to a 7-4 document to this point in 2023.
T5. Kevin Steele, DC, Alabama – $1.9 Million
Beginning us off on a run of coaches who will all earn round $1.9 million in 2023 is Alabama defensive coordinator, Kevin Steele. That is Steele’s second stint with the Crimson Tide having rejoined the workforce originally of this season.
Steele isn’t any stranger to big-time faculty soccer packages, having been at Alabama in 2007, and in addition at Auburn and LSU. He additionally coached within the NFL, the place he was famously attacked by Carolina Panthers linebacker Kevin Inexperienced in a observe.
By way of 12 weeks of the 2023 season, Steele’s protection is ranked 14th within the nation, permitting simply 17.4 factors per recreation, and Alabama remains to be very a lot within the hunt for the School Soccer Playoffs.
T5. Tommy Rees, OC, Alabama – $1.9 Million
Alabama’s new offensive coordinator in 2023 additionally makes the listing, as Tommy Rees is simply starting to seek out his ft with the Crimson Tide offense.
There have been loads of questions and issues from Alabama followers when Rees was initially given the OC gig after a transfer from Notre Dame. Nonetheless, after a rocky begin, it appears the Tide have discovered their QB in Jalen Milroe, and Rees’ offense has began to fireplace. Now averaging 36.5 factors per recreation, Alabama is ranked sixteenth within the nation offensively.
It’s starting to appear to be Alabama’s alternative for Invoice O’Brien is settling in properly because the Tide make a run on the CFP.
Rees is likely one of the finalists for the 2023 Broyles Award, awarded to the very best assistant coach in faculty soccer.
T5. Pete Golding, DC, Ole Miss – $1.9 Million
Pete Golding was one of many main causes Alabama’s protection was such a formidable pressure lately. Throughout his tenure at Alabama, between 2018 and 2022, Golding received three SEC championships and a nationwide championship.
Nonetheless, in 2023, Golding made the transfer to Ole Miss. In 2022, Ole Miss was giving up virtually 26 factors per recreation. Because the arrival of Golding, the protection is now solely permitting round 22 factors per recreation.
It’s nonetheless a piece in progress for Golding, however he’s off to begin. Along with his proactive strategy to protection and a give attention to forcing turnovers, together with a robust historical past in each recruiting and creating gamers, there’s a renewed sense of hope among the many Ole Miss devoted. Golding’s familiarity with the SEC panorama may simply be the catalyst for change that the Rebels have been looking for.
T5. Matt Home, DC, LSU – $1.9 Million
Matt Home, the defensive coordinator at LSU, is now in his second season with this system. After the workforce struggled defensively in 2021, it confirmed indicators of enchancment underneath Home in 2022.
Sadly for Home, it may be a case of 1 step ahead, two steps again because the protection struggles this yr. The Tigers rank exterior of the highest 100 in yards allowed per dashing try and yards allowed per passing try in FBS vs. FBS video games. This hardly appears superb for a workforce seeking to compete on the prime of the SEC.
With a proficient protection and a big wage, all eyes will probably be on Home to see if he can flip the fortunes of the Tigers round on D.
T5. Jeff Lebby, OC, Oklahoma – $1.9 Million
Rounding out the $1.9 million membership within the listing of highest-paid coordinators is Jeff Lebby, the Oklahoma offensive coordinator. Lebby took on the position on the Sooners in 2022.
Throughout his inaugural season with the Sooners, Lebby’s offensive technique yielded a median of 474 yards per recreation, inserting them among the many prime 25 in scoring. He has improved the offense as soon as once more in 2023, with Oklahoma averaging over 40 factors per recreation, rating fourth within the nation in scoring.
His tenure, nonetheless, has not been with out its issues. Throughout his time at Baylor, Lebby confronted criticism for his alleged lack of response to reviews of misconduct involving a participant.
Moreover, his steadfast protection of Artwork Briles, his father-in-law, after Briles’ departure from Baylor, drew consideration. Nonetheless, the Sooners regard these occasions as bygones and are dedicated to Lebby’s management for the longer term.
Previous to becoming a member of the Sooners, Lebby’s experience was evident throughout his time at Ole Miss, which he joined in 2019 after a productive interval at UCF. There, as offensive coordinator, he guided the workforce to an unbeaten common season, an AAC Championship, and a prime nationwide rating. Below his steerage, quarterback McKenzie Milton completed sixth within the Heisman Trophy standings.
The Sooners will probably be hoping for extra of the identical from Lebby.
4. Glenn Schumann, DC, Georgia – $1.902 Million
Breaking away from the group of highest-paid assistant coaches at $1.9 million is UGA Bulldogs DC, Glenn Schumann. Since assuming the position of co-defensive coordinator at UGA in 2019, Schumann’s affect has been important.
Below his stewardship, the Georgia protection has set the usual in faculty soccer, culminating in back-to-back Nationwide Championships in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, they’re as soon as once more favorites with prime sportsbooks to win the Nationwide Championship.
Schumann’s distinguished observe document at Georgia additionally contains quite a few SEC Jap Division championships, appearances in New Yr’s Six Bowls, and playoff bids.
The success of lots of his gamers like Jalen Carter and Travon Walker within the NFL Draft additional underscores his profound affect as a coach.
3. Jim Knowles, DC, Ohio State – $1.957 Million
Jim Knowles is the highest-paid defensive coordinator on our listing of highest-paid faculty soccer assistant coaches. Knowles joined Ohio State in January of 2022.
Since his rent, Knowles has revamped the Buckeyes’ defensive system. There was a little bit of a studying curve for all concerned in 2022, however the 2023 model of this protection has been very good.
Knowles’ protection in 2023 has given up simply 9.3 factors per recreation, sufficient to rank them second within the nation.
Having honed his craft at Duke and Oklahoma State, Knowles is now within the hunt for big-time trophies, as his Buckeyes eye a Nationwide Championship.
2. Ryan Grubb, OC, Washington – $2 Million
Washington Huskies’ offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has spent years with head coach Kalen DeBoer. They’ve labored their manner up collectively from Sioux Falls to School Soccer Playoff contenders with Washington. Grubb additionally labored underneath DeBoer at Jap Michigan and Fresno State.
In Grubb’s first season as offensive coordinator in 2022, the Huskies led the nation in passing yards. This yr, they’re on tempo to do the identical once more, whereas seeking to be top-ten in scoring for the second yr working too.
Grubb has turned Michael Penix Jr. right into a Heisman Trophy contender, and may take loads of the credit score for the, as of now, undefeated Huskies this season.
The one query now could be when Grubb will ultimately flee the nest, and develop into a head coach in his personal proper.
1. Garrett Riley, OC, Clemson -$2.05 Million
Garrett Riley was employed as Clemson’s offensive coordinator to start out this season. And the Tigers rewarded him by making him the highest-paid assistant coach in faculty soccer with a wage of over $2 million.
It’s Riley’s third OC job, after SMU and TCU. In 2022, Riley received the Broyles Award, which is awarded to the very best assistant coach in faculty soccer whereas at TCU. He took that TCU workforce to the School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship Sport, however in the end got here up quick.
He hasn’t set the world alight because the Clemson OC, however it’s nonetheless early in his tenure. With expectations excessive at Clemson, it probably received’t be lengthy earlier than Riley will probably be anticipated to start out placing up higher numbers on offense.
Whereas he can name on his brother, head coach of USC, Lincoln Riley, for recommendation, Riley’s sharp offensive thoughts might be sufficient to raise Clemson again to their glory days.
SportsLens Commentary
“Within the high-stakes world of faculty soccer, the strategic strikes made off the sector are simply as essential because the performs on it,” says SportsLens’ Head of Information, Nick Raffoul. “This listing of the High 10 Highest-Paid Assistant Coaches shines a light-weight on those that craft the sport from the sidelines.
“These coaches have confirmed their price with each yard gained and level defended, mirroring the sport’s depth and keenness with their commanding salaries. As we unveil these monetary titans, we have fun the unsung heroes of faculty soccer, whose acumen ensures the game we love thrives on each stage.”
