It’s been one heck of a start to 2024 for co-defensive coordinator and defensive tackles coach Todd Bates.
He received a pay bump earlier this offseason and appears headed for another raise according to Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.
According to Zenitz, Bates is set to push his salary up to $900,000 per year as he finalizes a three-year contract extension with the Sooners. The extension rewards Bates for his contributions and comes on the heels of an offseason, where, according to the report, Bates was being pursued by other programs this offseason. Instead, the well-respected defensive line coach will stay in Norman to continue the work of rebuilding the Sooners defensive line.
Oklahoma is in the process of finalizing a new contract for co-DC/DT coach Todd Bates that includes a significant raise after he received interest for multiple jobs this cycle, including one in the SEC, sources tell @247Sports.
Expected to average about $900k per year and will… pic.twitter.com/adQ27ESEVR
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) March 1, 2024
Bates has been a monumental add for his development of the Oklahoma defensive line in larger part because of his prowess on the recruiting trail.
Bates was the primary recruiter for the Sooners in their pursuit of five-star defensive tackle David Stone. Stone was the first five-star defensive tackle the Sooners have landed in over a decade. He has also helped transform the Oklahoma defensive line that led the NCAA in tackles for loss or for no gain last season.
For Bates, his journey is just getting started. He has yet to see a complete cycle of his recruits manifest on the field. He’s revitalized the interior defensive line at Oklahoma.
Still, this year represents a significant step in competition as his unproven unit will have their first season in the SEC. They will be face some of the best offensive linemen in the country on a weekly basis.
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