Overview
- Whittingham’s memorandum of understanding sets a $8 million base salary in 2026 with $100,000 annual raises, reaching $8.4 million by the final year, with reports citing $41 million in base pay and more than $43 million guaranteed over five years.
- Performance bonuses include $500,000 for a Big Ten title game berth, $1 million for winning the league, College Football Playoff payouts up to $500,000 for advancing, $1 million for a national championship, coach of the year awards, and up to $150,000 tied to APR.
- The buyout is $5 million if he departs before Feb. 1, 2027, decreasing by $1 million each year thereafter, and he would receive 75% of remaining base pay if fired without cause.
- Perks include two university‑paid vehicles, a private suite for home games, first‑class air travel on university business with up to 30 hours of personal charter use annually, a department phone, and a compliance obligation spelled out in the deal.
- OC Jason Beck signed for three years at $2.8 million, $3.05 million, and $3.3 million plus a $1.74 million signing bonus and retention bonuses, DC Jay Hill agreed to $2.5 million, $2.6 million, and $2.7 million with a $455,555 signing bonus, and other assistants such as OL coach Jim Harding secured multi‑year, seven‑figure packages with incentive clauses.