The Opening Drive 3/13 : The OSU Coaching Staff and Their Salaries
8 Coaches Earned Raises for 2026.
With spring ball starting, it’s always intriguing to see the contract details leak out for the OSU coaching staff. I say leak like they’re the nuclear launch codes, but a quick Freedom of Information Act ( FOIA) can acquire the information, due to OSU being a public institution. The bulk of the coaching staff are on two-year deals, which is the standard at Ohio State. The sole one year contract belongs to Defensive Line Coach Larry Johnson. Let’s take a look at the contracts for the staff.
The Offensive Staff
Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith
Smith signed a 2-year contract which ends in 2028. His 2026 salary is 1.5 million dollars. IF Smith fulfills year two, which unfortunately isn’t a given especially if the Buckeye offense has success, his 2027 salary will carry a $500,000 raise and go up to 2 million dollars.
Co-Offensive Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach Keenan Bailey
Coach Kee was the big winner on the offensive side of the staff. His new contract will pay him 1 million dollars, a $350,00 raise from the 2025 salary of $650,000.
Passing Game Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Billy Fessler
Coach Fessler also recieved a rather substantial bump from his 2025 salary. His new 2-year deal will pay him $750,000. His new salary is a raise of $275,000 from his 2025 rate.
Run Game Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach Tyler Bowen
Despite the criticisms of the offensive line in the last two games of the season, Coach Bowen did get a small raise. He goes from $900,00 to $1,000,000 for 2026. It shouldn’t be long before someone does a FOIA request for the staff reviews, and I’ll be very intrigued to see this one.
Running Back’s Coach Carlos Locklyn
Coach Lock is not only the lowest paid member of the offensive staff, but in my opinion he is the most underpaid staff member by far. I know he is still in the prove-it stage at Ohio State, despite the success of Trey and Quinshon during the Natty season. Coach Lock received a $50,000 raise for 2026, bringing his salary to $700,000.
Wide Receiver’s Coach Cortez Hankton
I have to give Coach Hank his flowers. He took a pay cut to come to OSU. Last year he made $1,00,000 at LSU. His OSU deal is paying him $900,000. While he was not going to be retained at LSU, he had options on his next gig and chose the Buckeyes.
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The Defensive and Special Teams Staff
Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia
Coach Patricia was the big winner, as far as raises go, on the entire staff this off-season. I don’t think a single Buckeye fan has an issue with it either. He signed a new 2-year deal, which goes to 2029 due to when it was signed. The new contract comes with a raise of $1,250,000, and brings his annual salary to $3,750,000.
Asst. Head Coach/Asst. Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Coach Tim Walton
OG Walt is on the 2nd year of a 3-year deal. With that, he did not receive a salary bump. He will make $1,800,00 for the season. Each of those job titles brought an increase when they were awarded.
Linebackers Coach James Laurinaitis
3’s got a raise of $400,000 to bring his annual salary to $900,000. I anticipate this will continue to go up, and the list of job titles will grow soon.
Passing Game Coordinator and Safeties Coach Matt Guerrieri
Coach G received an increase of $100,000 heading into the 2026 season. That brings his salary to $1,000,000. Coach G is another candidate for additional job titles and responsibilities as his star continues to shine.
Defensive Line Coach and Associate Head Coach Larry Johnson
Coach Johnson is the sole one-year contract on the staff and he has earned that right. His $200,00 raise takes his salary to $1,600,000. Obviously Coach J gets what ever he wants, as long as he wants to coach.
Special Teams Coordinator Robby Discher
Discher joined the Buckeyes from conference foe Illinois. He will be paid $400,000, which is what he made with the Illini.
All in all, the Assistant Coaches will make $15.3 Million next season. In addition to the Assistants, Coach Day will make $12.5 million. Not too shabby for coaching ball!
Buckeye Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh content.
