LSU has become synonymous with staunch defense, and part of that is because the program puts a high value on that side of the ball.
That became even more apparent Wednesday as USA Today’s database of NCAA assistant coaches salaries has LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda as the highest-paid assistant coach in the sport as he reels in $2.5 million per year before bonuses and incentives.
“The Mad Scientist” just completed his third regular season as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator, and his most lucrative after a contract-extension earlier in the year spurred by interest in Aranda from Texas A&M made him the highest-paid assistant in college football.
LSU’s defense remained steady this season, allowing opponents to score an average of less than 21 points per game and 346.1 total yards per game despite an outlier in a 7-0vertime loss to Texas A&M in which the Aggies scored 74 points and 521 yards of total offense. The Tigers also forced 23 turnovers throughout the course of the season.
The Tigers didn’t skimp on offense, either, paying $800,000 per year and putting him at No. 42 of the top assistant coach salaries.
This makes LSU’s staff one of the highest-paid in the country. To put it into perspective, Aranda’s $2.5 million is more than both of the assistants the Tigers will face in the Fiesta Bowl combined.
#LSU Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Dave Aranda is paid $2.5 million a year, according to @usatodaysports.
The total pay for assistant coaches at #UCF? $2,365,000. https://t.co/UuMcEgwT7v
— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) December 5, 2018
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