Brohm contract extension proves Purdue remains committed to football program

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Any more questions about Purdue’s financial commitment to its football program?

We’ve seen the commitment grow over the last two years where anyone who doubted wasn’t paying attention. We saw another sign Thursday. If you need convincing, just look at the numbers.

Coach Jeff Brohm now has a seven-year contract worth $29 million in guaranteed compensation. His deal was extended by two years Thursday when the board of trustees put its stamp on the four-month contract negotiation, led by athletic director Mike Bobinski.

It was less than six seasons ago Purdue didn’t pay its football coach $1 million – the only coach in the Big Ten not to make seven figures in 2012. In 2020, Brohm will make $4 million and reach $4.5 million in the final year of the deal in 2024.

That’s how far – and fast – the board of trustees, president Mitch Daniels and Bobinski have moved to bring this program, and the athletic department, into making a serious bid to compete and win championships.

“That’s what it’s intended to be, not only to Jeff and his staff but people that might be looking to join our program,” Bobinski said of the continued commitment. “If they’re wondering or not if we’re serious about keeping a top-flight coach here at Purdue, we’ve tried to move in that direction here again.

“That’s the goal for sure. We want Jeff to know and others to know that we intend to build this thing and Jeff is the right guy to build it.”

Thursday’s announcement was another sign that Purdue isn't backing off its pledge when it made a coaching change in the middle of the 2016 season and lured Brohm away from Western Kentucky.

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The $65 million performance complex and lights installed at Ross-Ade Stadium were part of the first wave. More support personnel to help the program build and keep a visible presence in recruiting. It’s all there and new investments are being made every day.

This has never been about making a one-time splash. This has been about creating long-term success by investing upfront instead of waiting for the results. In this case, the results came earlier than expected in Brohm's first season.

“We have all the resources necessary for success, and I promise that my staff and I will continue to work tirelessly to build a championship-caliber program,” Brohm said in a statement.

As last year’s success unfolded, Bobinski began to think proactively about rewarding Brohm. It had to happen. He couldn’t sit back and let the original deal stand on its own, especially with other schools showing interest.

Even though Brohm had five years left on the contract he signed in 2017, sitting idle wasn’t the right game plan.

Bobinski approached Brohm and his agent, Shawn Freibert, about the next step.

“When you get the right person – and Jeff is clearly the right person – we don’t want to leave it short here,” Bobinski said. “Let’s not wait for something to happen; let’s do something now. I think everybody is happy with where we landed.”

The extension also increases the assistant coaches salary pool to $3.9 million, up from $3.5 million. Brohm is using $3.46 million this year to pay his 10 assistants but wanted financial flexibility in the future.

Brohm’s new buyout – if he would leave for another coaching job – probably won’t scare off schools. Bobinski kept the framework of the buyout in the same range when Brohm signed his original deal. If success continues at Purdue, he won't be tempted to leave.

“Buyouts never keep a coach. That’s absolutely a fantasyland thought," Bobinski said. "No coach has stayed in a job because of a buyout. When you’re looking at a coach at our level, at Jeff’s level, the people that might be interested in him, it doesn’t matter what the number is. It’s irrelevant."

Overall, Thursday was another good day for the program.

Granted, the financial numbers will never reach the level of Ohio State and Michigan or other conference schools. They shouldn’t. Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh make $7 million a year. No need to go there.

Purdue plays in a different financial arena but it doesn’t mean the program can’t achieve success with the right formula of coaches, recruiting, fan support and administrative backing.

As of now, all of the parties are working on the same page.

BREAKING DOWN BROHM'S CONTRACT

Base salary/Supplement Stipend (guaranteed income)

2018: $3.8 million

2019: $3.9 million

2020: $4 million

2021: $4.1 million

2022: $4.3 million

2023: $4.4 million

2024: $4.5 million

Annual coaches compensation pool: $3.9 million. Assistant coaches who initially signed multi-year contracts with Purdue will have those extended through 2019, Bobinski said. New assistant coach Mark Tommerdahl's contract also runs through 2019. Kevin Wolthausen, who was elevated from quality control to special teams and defensive line coach after last season, has a one-year contract that runs through 2018.

Buyout if Brohm leaves before:

Dec. 5, 2018: $4.4 million

Dec. 5, 2019: $3.3 million

Dec. 5, 2020: $2.2 million

Dec. 5, 2021: $1.1 million

Dec. 31, 2024: $1 million

Note: Buyout would also include the remaining balance of an interest-free loan given to Brohm by Purdue to terminate his contract with Western Kentucky. The original $900,000 loan is reduced by $150,000 each year.