Indiana is a noted basketball school, but their football program made a sizable splash the night of the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Mere hours before Clemson and Alabama kick off in the desert for all the marbles Monday evening, the Hoosiers announced they have signed coach Kevin Wilson to a new six-year contract. He is set to earn an average annual compensation of $2.55 million, or $15.3 million total. For context, Urban Meyer is slated to earn an average of $6.5 million after signing an extension in April that keeps him at Ohio State through 2020.
"This contract reflects our commitment to Kevin, to continuity, and to Indiana University Football," Indiana University Vice President and Director of Athletics Fred Glass said in a press release. "Kevin has done a great job building our program into one that is competitive with the great teams of the Big Ten and the nation. We are confident that he will continue to lead us to sustained success on the field and in the classroom."
The Hoosiers finished 2015 with a 6-7 record after falling 44-41 to Duke in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl Dec. 26. It was their first bowl trip since 2007 and second in 22 years.
Wilson is a modest 20-41 and 8-24 in Big Ten play during his five seasons in Bloomington. He, understandably, is ecstatic about the new deal after earning more than $1.3 million in 2015.
"Thank you to President McRobbie, the Board of Trustees, Mr. Glass and the entire athletics administration for their support," Wilson said in the release. "Coupled with an already solid foundation, this ensures stability as we continue to build a winning program in the Big Ten East, one of the great divisions in college football. The administration has shown a total commitment to our program development, continuity, staffing, recruiting and facilities, and has invested heavily in the development of and experience for our students. We are excited for the opportunity and embrace the challenge ahead. My family and I love Indiana and we are all proud Hoosiers. Go IU!"
The deal shifts Wilson from the third-lowest paid coach in the Big Ten to its seventh-highest.
Indiana visits Columbus Oct. 8.
