Ranking the top 3 most unique tailgates in college football
From grilling, to trains, to boats… college football fans love to get creative with their tailgate plans. Mackenzie Salmon highlights the three most unique experiences from across the country.
LSU football coach Brian Kelly received a $500,000 bonus after the Tigers’ 62-0 victory over Army, making them eligible for a bowl game. This bonus is the largest ever given to a public-school coach for becoming bowl eligible, without a contract extension. Kelly is already one of the highest-paid college employees in the country.
This bonus brings Kelly’s total compensation for the season to at least $10.475 million. He may also receive additional bonuses based on academic benchmarks, further success on the field, or winning coach-of-the-year awards.
Kelly’s contract stipulates that he will receive the $500,000 bonus if the team is “bowl eligible,” meaning they have won at least six of their 12 regular season games. LSU’s current record is 6-2 (4-1 in Southeastern Conference play), securing their spot in a bowl game for the 23rd time in the past 24 seasons.
HIGHS AND LOWS: Winners and losers from Week 8 in college football
Many football head coaches’ contracts include bonuses for reaching a bowl game. Among public-school coaches, the second-highest bonus amount for a non-College Football Playoff (CFP) affiliated bowl game is $275,000, which can be earned by Utah’s Kyle Whittingham. Penn State’s James Franklin can earn $200,000 for reaching a bowl game. Whittingham and Franklin have both achieved six wins this season.
Some highly paid coaches’ contracts only provide a bowl-appearance bonus if the team plays in one of the six CFP-affiliated games, known as the New Year’s Six. Exceptions include Jim Harbaugh of Michigan, Ryan Day of Ohio State, and Dan Lanning of Oregon. Harbaugh also receives a $500,000 bonus if the Wolverines play in the Big Ten Conference championship game.
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney and Oklahoma’s Brent Venables have specific requirements for earning bonuses for non-New Year’s Six bowl games. Swinney’s bonus is contingent on winning at least eight regular season games, while Venables’ bonus requires at least seven regular-season wins for the Sooners.
Alex Martin is your guide to the global phenomenon of football. With a focus on international leagues and tournaments, he provides match commentary, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of football.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72931262/usa_today_21973134.0.jpg "Stay Updated on Wisconsin Badgers Transfer Portal Movements for 2023-2024 Season")
