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BK's Salary Package

AZGrizFan said:
I find it sad. Who negotiates these things? And why would there be such a disparity between the two schools?
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Yeah that was my question as well. There was already a disparity between Vigen and BH, but the difference now is really striking. Seems to me like all of Haslam's comments about BK not being an interim fall very flat considering the very low financial investment they're making in him. Honestly it surprises me that BK even took the job for that much. Obviously he wanted a chance to make his mark and succeed and hopefully earn another contract, but he's definitely not doing it for the money at this point. Crazy.
 
Ya and guess what? If BK goes out there and kills it this year, then he’ll get himself a nice long term deal with a significantly higher base salary. He sure doesn’t seem bothered by it. I think if he were he would’ve demanded more.

People got to keep in mind that BK needs to go out there and prove it this year. He’s never been a head coach, let alone a coordinator before. This should be a motivation tool for him to show that he can get this done. I have no issue with this. He can still make a lot of money if he hits his incentives.
 
HelenaHandBasket said:
First time head coach and a head coach that has a National Championship...I wonder.
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Okay that's a good point. Does anybody know what Vigen's salary package was in his first year as head coach at MSU? I found an article on 406 Sports but it's behind a paywall and I can't get the archive tool to work.
 
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Something Mike and I were musing on yesterday at practice - did BK possibly take a lower overall salary to spread budgeted funds across more assistant coaches? It seems Bobby intentionally kept his staff smaller so his coaches were paid more - but BK on (currently) a 1 year has taken lower but seems to have all the roles filled + has added some staff spots that I don't recall Hauck having (like quality control coaches)
 
I was finally able to find Vigen's beginning salary which was a $210,000 base plus incentives. So as a first time head coach he was making $35,000 more/year than BK is - and that was five years ago. But like Brint said - maybe there are other considerations here, like more money for staff salaries.
 
It's understandable given that BK has no track record as a coordinator or head coach and was essentially hired because there were few other options at the time. And despite Haslam refusing to label him as "interim", the length and value of his contract says otherwise.

I hope BK crushes it and gets a better contract because that is the easiest and most convenient answer, but I think the chances of him just happening to be the best candidate for the job are pretty low. His contract reflects that reality.

Absent this team blowing the doors off expectations, I think it would be wise for the University to conduct a more thorough search after next season, which will most likely include BK as a top candidate.

In spite of the fact that he's showed encouraging potential, I really don't love the fact that he was given the job by default of horrendous timing.
 
Griz til I die said:
Ya and guess what? If BK goes out there and kills it this year, then he’ll get himself a nice long term deal with a significantly higher base salary. He sure doesn’t seem bothered by it. I think if he were he would’ve demanded more.

People got to keep in mind that BK needs to go out there and prove it this year. He’s never been a head coach, let alone a coordinator before. This should be a motivation tool for him to show that he can get this done. I have no issue with this. He can still make a lot of money if he hits his incentives.
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Are we not doing the whole “give him some time” and “it doesn’t happen overnight” things?
 
nicktaber58 said:
Honestly, UM should be embarrassed by this salary and comp package. For the scrutiny and pressure, nobody should ever question why Hauck took the job he did and left here the way he did. There is literally not a position in college football with the pressure /salary equivalency as this.
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Then why’d he sign it? People around here love to get pissed at the administration for every little thing, but if we had signed him to a 4 year deal with like a $300k base salary and then the team flops this year, then there’s no out for UM and then people around here would absolutely lose their minds. I woulda thought people around here would be ok with the idea that Haslam is keeping his options open for next year but apparently not.

Clearly BK doesn’t see an issue with the base salary. He would’ve never signed the contract if he didn’t like the terms. Hell with the high profile places he’s been, money probably takes a back seat at this point in his career. Like I said earlier, if he goes out there and proves it this year, then he’ll be getting himself a nice fat, long term deal next offseason. Everybody take a deep breath!
 
gotgame75 said:
Absent this team blowing the doors off expectations, I think it would be wise for the University to conduct a more thorough search after next season, which will most likely include BK as a top candidate.
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You really need to think about how stupid this comment is and how it would work. So you have a sitting HC and you're transparently searching for an upgrade while he's in the job. What a show of confidence that would be. And how professional. I truly hope the Griz kill it this year and BK is awarded an appropriate longer term contract. For many reasons, one of which is to stick it to doubters like you.
 
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nicktaber58 said:
Honestly, UM should be embarrassed by this salary and comp package. For the scrutiny and pressure, nobody should ever question why Hauck took the job he did and left here the way he did. There is literally not a position in college football with the pressure /salary equivalency as this.
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You got me wondering what other Big Sky coaches were getting paid so I did a little research. (Spoiler: I don't always agree with you but in this case you're right on. This salary package IS ridiculous. If Montana is truly one of the flagship institutions in the FCS, a blue blood as it were, then they need to do much better than this, especially in comparison to the neighbor to the east.)

Cody Hawkins' base salary is $230,000. ISU gave him that salary and an extension after going 5-7 in 2024.

isubengals.com

Idaho State Football Signs Head Coach Cody Hawkins to Contract Extension - Idaho State University Athletics

POCATELLO, Idaho (July 17, 2025) - Idaho State University and Director of Athletics Pauline Thiros have announced a five-year contract extension for Head Football
isubengals.com isubengals.com

Weber state's newly hired coach is getting a $250,000 base.

Weber State football: Updates on Eric Kjar’s contract and assistant coaching staff

Editor’s note: This story has been updated Jan. 1 from its original publication on Dec. 31. Eric Kjar has officially been in charge of Weber State football for two weeks, offering a handful more Utah recruits and putting together a coaching staff as the transfer portal’s two-week window arrives...
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Idaho's Thomas Ford Jr.'s base salary is the same as BK's, at $175,000, but DOUBLES with media money which puts it much higher than BK's.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1892305373597421758

This is an interesting article about salary packages in the Big Sky. It's almost a year old at this point so things have obviously changed, but what I found interesting was at the time, Vigen's total potential compensation was almost $900,000 a year, while BH's was only $663,000. I don't have access to all the numbers for BK's package, but the base salary alone is almost $100,000 lower (than BH's), so you have to figure that the total potential compensation is maybe around $550,000. Only a bit more than HALF of Vigen's potential? That just doesn't seem right. (Keep in mind this was Vigen's deal before he won any national championships so don't throw that at me.)

https://share.google/My1ce6gQUyrP6z4kh

If Montana really wants to catch up to MSU and beat them again on a regular basis, they're going to have to commit to paying their head coach better in my opinion.

Hopefully BK has a fantastic first year and a good agent to get him a MUCH better offer for next year. If that doesn't happen and Haslam does a national search, UM better find a way to offer a comparable package to MSU or get used to being to the second best program in the state.
 
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Griz til I die said:
Then why’d he sign it? People around here love to get pissed at the administration for every little thing, but if we had signed him to a 4 year deal with like a $300k base salary and then the team flops this year, then there’s no out for UM and then people around here would absolutely lose their minds. I woulda thought people around here would be ok with the idea that Haslam is keeping his options open for next year but apparently not.

Clearly BK doesn’t see an issue with the base salary. He would’ve never signed the contract if he didn’t like the terms. Hell with the high profile places he’s been, money probably takes a back seat at this point in his career. Like I said earlier, if he goes out there and proves it this year, then he’ll be getting himself a nice fat, long term deal next offseason. Everybody take a deep breath!
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We shouldn't judge a comp package as good "because the guy signed it". Its highway robbery. A one year deal is most often times higher proportionally than a multi year deal, especially if the multi year deal is guaranteed.
My point actually isn't the one year vs solidifying a multi year deal. Its purely the dollar amount. Again, the scrutiny BK will face if he goes 8-4 this season is immense for the comp he will apperantly get.

I totally get why Haslam went the 1 year route. No confusion there.
 
Da Boyz Mom said:
You got me wondering what other Big Sky coaches were getting paid so I did a little research. (Spoiler: I don't always agree with you but in this case you're right on. This salary package IS ridiculous. If Montana is truly one of the flagship institutions in the FCS, a blue blood as it were, then they need to do much better than this, especially in comparison to the neighbor to the east.)

Cody Hawkins' base salary is $230,000. ISU gave him that salary and an extension after going 5-7 in 2024.

isubengals.com

Idaho State Football Signs Head Coach Cody Hawkins to Contract Extension - Idaho State University Athletics

POCATELLO, Idaho (July 17, 2025) - Idaho State University and Director of Athletics Pauline Thiros have announced a five-year contract extension for Head Football
isubengals.com isubengals.com

Weber state's newly hired coach is getting a $250,000 base.

Weber State football: Updates on Eric Kjar’s contract and assistant coaching staff

Editor’s note: This story has been updated Jan. 1 from its original publication on Dec. 31. Eric Kjar has officially been in charge of Weber State football for two weeks, offering a handful more Utah recruits and putting together a coaching staff as the transfer portal’s two-week window arrives...
share.google share.google

Idaho's Thomas Ford Jr.'s base salary is the same as BK's, at $175,000, but DOUBLES with media money which puts it much higher than BK's.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1892305373597421758

This is an interesting article about salary packages in the Big Sky. It's almost a year old at this point so things have obviously changed, but what I found interesting was at the time, Vigen's total potential compensation was almost $900,000 a year, while BH's was only $663,000. I don't have access to all the numbers for BK's package, but the base salary alone is almost $100,000 lower (than BH's), so you have to figure that the total potential compensation is maybe around $550,000. Only a bit more than HALF of Vigen's potential? That just doesn't seem right. (Keep in mind this was Vigen's deal before he won any national championships so don't throw that at me.)

https://share.google/My1ce6gQUyrP6z4kh

If Montana really wants to catch up to MSU and beat them again on a regular basis, they're going to have to commit to paying their head coach better in my opinion.

Hopefully BK has a fantastic first year and a good agent to get him a MUCH better offer for next year. If that doesn't happen and Haslam does a national search, UM better find a way to offer a comparable package to MSU or get used to being to the second best program in the state.
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Great research, and spot on!
 
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