Ohio State Hires Highest-Paid Assistant Coach In History—$2.5 Million Man The Detroit Lions Fired

Ohio State secured former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to lead the Buckeyes’ offense, bringing extensive NFL experience after stints with the Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans. Smith will earn $1.5 million in 2026 with a scheduled increase to $2 million in 2027, positioning him as one of the more handsomely compensated offensive coordinators in the Big Ten. His hiring addresses Ohio State’s need for improved run-game consistency and quarterback development under head coach Ryan Day.

Veteran Defensive Line Anchor Receives Significant Recognition

Larry Johnson Sr. continues as one of the country’s most compensated position coaches, earning $1.6 million for the 2026 season after a $200,000 raise. The veteran coach, entering his thirteenth year with the Buckeyes, remains a cornerstone of Ohio State’s defensive front seven development. His continued presence provides invaluable continuity amid staff changes, particularly following Patricia’s elevation to defensive coordinator.

Key Assistants Receive Substantial Retention Raises

Several returning assistants earned notable salary increases as part of Ohio State’s comprehensive staff investment strategy. Tight ends coach and co-offensive coordinator Keenan Bailey saw his pay jump to $1 million, an increase of $350,000. Linebackers coach James Laurinaitis received a $500,000 raise to reach $900,000, while quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler earned $750,000 following a $275,000 increase.

Wide Receivers Position Sees Strategic Replacement

Following Brian Hartline’s departure to accept the head coaching position at South Florida, Ohio State hired Cortez Hankton as the new wide receivers coach. Hankton will earn $900,000 in 2026, bringing NFL receiver development experience from previous coaching roles including a stint as wide receivers coach at LSU. His appointment aims to maintain continuity in receiver technique and route-running proficiency amid the transition.

Record Payroll Reflects Broader Investment Philosophy

Ohio State’s approach to staff compensation reflects a deliberate philosophy that elite coaching directly drives recruiting outcomes and roster depth in the transfer portal era. The program has consistently prioritized retaining positional specialists alongside securing high-profile coordinators, creating a layered investment structure that addresses both immediate needs and long-term developmental continuity. This philosophy treats coaching talent acquisition with the same strategic urgency applied to player recruitment.

Total Coaching Payroll Reaches Program-High Investment

Ohio State’s total assistant coach compensation will reach $15.3 million for the 2026 season, an increase of over $3.5 million from the $11.775 million allocated in 2025. This historic investment grew the full-time coaching staff from 10 to 12 positions, with seven assistants now earning seven-figure salaries. Football Scoop and CBS Sports both described the expenditure as an unprecedented level of assistant coach investment for the program.

Staff Restructuring Aligns with Competitive Objectives

The coaching overhaul directly supports Ohio State’s goals of maintaining defensive supremacy while elevating offensive consistency. By securing elite coordinators on both sides of the ball and retaining positional experts like Johnson Sr., the program aims to build sustainable excellence rather than rely on short-term fixes. Athletic department officials noted the spending plan was developed after comprehensive benchmarking against peer institutions across the Power Five.

Investment Signals Long-Term Program Commitment

The multi-year contracts for Patricia and Smith provide stability that facilitates long-term scheme implementation and player development continuity. This approach contrasts with reactive hiring practices, instead establishing a foundation for sustained success across recruiting cycles and roster transitions. ESPN’s college football coverage throughout March noted that commitments of this scale reflect the institutional patience required to convert financial investment into on-field results.

National Implications for College Football Economics

Ohio State’s staff investment potentially establishes new benchmarks that could influence compensation budgeting across collegiate athletics. The $15.3 million total exceeds what many Power Five programs allocate for their entire football operations, highlighting growing resource disparities in major college football. As The Athletic reported in its coverage of Ohio State’s spring practices and contract disclosures, such investments may prompt similar responses from peer programs, accelerating an already rapid escalation in assistant coach salaries nationwide.

Sources

“Ohio State’s 2026 staff will be the highest paid in program history.” Football Scoop, March 2026.
“Ohio State’s Matt Patricia is college football’s highest-paid assistant.” CBS Sports, March 2026.
“Matt Patricia’s hefty pay raise among many for OSU assistant coaches.” The Columbus Dispatch, March 9, 2026.
“Source: Ohio State hires former Steelers OC Arthur Smith.” ESPN, January–March 2026.
“Ohio State first spring football practice and assistant coach contracts.” The Athletic, March 9–10, 2026.