Details of the new Mel Tucker deal show why the former University of Georgia defensive coordinator spent so little time coaching at the University of Colorado, before bolting for what could be seen as a parallel move to lead Michigan State.
The Spartans will pay Tucker a grand total of $5.5 million per season over a six-year deal, with a $3.8 million base pay portion and the usual add-ons head coaches get these days. This puts the Kirby Smart protege just outside the top 10 of all FBS coaches, and he checks in at fourth in the Big Ten, where Jim Harbaugh makes the most at $7.5 million annually.
His Michigan State predecessor Mark Dantonio made $4.3 million each year, and while at Colorado, Tucker made $2.4 million annually. The Buffaloes did not have a breakthrough year in Tucker’s debut, which speaks to the national value currently placed on the Kirby Smart defensive system.
Without Mel Tucker in Athens, and having to support a less than dynamic passing offense which failed to convert in key situations as much as desired, UGA still had the top defense in the country in 2019. The next man up for a head coaching job could be bright, young coordinator Dan Lanning.