Pelini’s contract with NU stipulated that he must earn $150,000 per month ($1.8 per year) until February 2019 — and the Husker athletic department is responsible for paying him the difference between that amount and his new monthly compensation. Nebraska’s drawing from its reserve fund to cover the buyout.

Former Youngstown State coach Eric Wolford reportedly made $215,000 in 2014. But he was fired in November after going 31-26 in five seasons.

Wolford’s performance didn’t meet expectations at YSU, which won four Division I-AA titles under Jim Tressel before he took over Ohio State’s program in 2001.

Tressel returned to Youngstown State this year as the school’s president. He and Penguin Athletic Director Ron Strollo announced Pelini’s hiring Tuesday.

“We are excited to have Bo Pelini as the head football coach at Youngstown State University,” Strollo said. “He is a dedicated family man who wants to be part of our community and make an impact in his hometown. He has been a successful coach throughout his career and our student-athletes will have the opportunity to play for a tremendous individual. We look forward to him leading our program and welcome him and Mary Pat home.”