Football Texas regents approve school record-breaking contract for Todd Orlando UT regents make Orlando the highest-paid assistant in school history with three-year deal just over $1 million Posted May 10th, 2017


Story highlights Offensive coordinator Tim Beck also received a three-year contract.

Offensive coordinator Tim Beck also received a three-year contract. Running backs coach Stan Drayton will see his salary bump to $515,000 in 2018.

Running backs coach Stan Drayton will see his salary bump to $515,000 in 2018. UT regents also approve a 30 percent pay increase for men's golf coach John Fields.

Texas coach Tom Herman has full faith in defensive coordinator Todd Orlando. The UT System Board of Regents backed him by approving the most lucrative contract ever given to a Longhorns assistant.

Orlando had previously agreed to a three-year contract worth $1 million to join Herman at UT after leaving Houston. The regents made it official Wednesday by approving a deal worth $1,090,000 annually that runs through March 31, 2020.

All UT coaches receive at least $10,000 for sports camps and a car allowance. Each assistant coach can make up to $95,000 annually in team-related performance bonuses.


UT regents approved eight football staff members contracts as part of the consent agenda at their monthly meeting. By rule, regents are required to approve any multi-year contract or one worth more than $1 million. That included a three-year deal for offensive coordinator Tim Beck ($790,000 annually) and two-year contracts for others.

Former athletic director Steve Patterson first introduced guaranteed multi-year contracts when he hired Charlie Strong and his staff prior to the 2014 season. The school has given out guaranteed contracts ever since.

Herman will get the lion’s share of attention, but Orlando will be front and center, too. He’s primarily responsible for rebuilding a defense that put up some of the worst numbers in school history the last two years.

Orlando’s contract, while huge for UT’s historical standard, is on par with that of his peers nationally. Texas A&M’s John Chavis received more than $1.5 million last season, according to USA Today’s coaching salary database. Clemson’s Brent Venables made $1.4 million last season.

“I mean, I’ve seen Todd Orlando make chicken salad out of some lesser parts,” Herman said this spring, “so I have a lot of confidence in that staff and what they’re able to do with whatever talent that we’ve inherited.”

Running backs coach Stan Drayton will receive $455,000 for the 2017 season and $515,000 for 2018. Safeties coach Craig Naivar will receive $490,000 annually. Defensive line coach Oscar Giles ($390,000), offensive line coach Derek Warehime ($390,000) and receivers coach Drew Mehringer ($340,000) also had their deals approved.

Strength coach Yancy McKnight also was approved for a two-year contract worth $425,000 annually. No information was presented to UT regents about cornerbacks coach Jason Washington or tight ends coach Corby Meekins.

All salaries paid to UT staff members are generated from private donations, ticket sales and other revenue streams. No state money is used. The UT athletic department is financially self-sustaining.

Also, UT regents approved a new contract for men’s golf coach John Fields, who led his program to the brink of a national title last season. He received a 30 percent pay raise — up to $270,000 annually with another $7,500 in car allowance and $2,000 in product endorsement.

Fields’ Longhorns will host a NCAA regional golf tournament at UT Golf Club starting on Monday.

Contact Brian Davis at 512-445-3957. Email bdavis@statesman.com.