Clemson coach Dabo Swinney got a one-year contract extension and a raise of $900,000 after leading his team to the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game in 2009. Swinney will earn $1.75 million next year -- more than double what he made a year ago and almost nine times his pay as an assistant.
"We were pleased with the performance of the Clemson football program under Dabo Swinney this past season and feel the new salaries reflect these accomplishments," Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips said.
The Tigers went 9-5 last season, losing the ACC title game to Georgia Tech before closing with a 21-13 victory over Kentucky in the Music City Bowl.
Swinney was appreciative of the school's support for the entire coaching staff.
"We have created an environment where we can attract outstanding coaches to Clemson University and keep them here," Swinney said. "These contracts give our staff security."
Swinney's nine assistants received raises totaling $495,000, bringing their aggregate pay to more than $2.3 million. The bulk of that went to second-year defensive coordinator Kevin Steele , who will earn $575,000, or $200,000 more than last year.
Steele got a two-year extension along with a raise, tying him to the Tigers through 2013. The other seven assistants received one-year extensions, restoring their two-year agreements from last year.
Secondary coach and co-defensive coordinator Charlie Harbison will earn $325,000, an increase of $75,000. Offensive coordinator Billy Napier also got a $75,000 raise, boosting his salary to $275,000.
NOTRE DAME: The Fighting Irish want to remain independent in football, but that might not matter if the Big Ten and Pac-10 decide to expand and create sweeping changes to major college sports.
"Our preference is clear," Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said. "I believe we're at a point right now where changes could be relatively small or they could be seismic."
Swarbrick said it will be up to him and university president Rev. John Jenkins to "evaluate the landscape" if realignment happens.
The Big Ten announced in December it will explore options for expansion in the next 12 to 18 months. In February, the Pac-10 also made it known that it would be considering adding schools.
Notre Dame has had a non-football Big East membership since 1995.
PINSTRIPE BOWL: The inaugural game will be played at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 30 and will be televised by ESPN.
The game will include the No. 3 team in the Big East and the No. 6 school in the Big 12, excluding Bowl Championship Series participants. If one of the conferences cannot fill its bowl slot, Notre Dame could be considered.
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