There’s a reason why the Southeastern Conference has undoubtedly been the best conference in college football for the past decade, and it isn’t just talent. It’s the fact that the SEC is willing to pay its assistant coaches top-dollar.

Tennessee has improved by two wins each season since head coach Butch Jones’ arrival, and with that, comes more money for Jones’ helpers. The Volunteers finished 2015 with a 9-4 record overall and Jones currently holds a 21-17 record over his first three seasons.

It was announced via Twitter that both tailbacks coach Robert Gillespie and linebackers assistant Tommy Thigpen earned a six-figure raise and second-year offensive coordinator Mike DeBord was given a $75,000 raise.

New salary info from UT: Six-figure raises for linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen ($500k) and running backs coach Robert Gillespie ($475k). — Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownTFP) August 2, 2016

Tennessee offensive coordinator Mike DeBord also received a raise. He'll make $575k this season after making $500k a year ago. — Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownTFP) August 2, 2016

The Volunteers and its newly-paid coaches begin the 2016 season on Sept. 1 when the team hosts Appalachian State.