Perhaps we now know why the Clemson Tigers' onboarding of Oklahoma Sooners defensive coordinator Brent Venables was so lengthy and confusing. It takes a long time to back up that many MONEY TRUCKS:
@travis_sawchik Clemson now has No. 1 (Chad Morris) and No. 3 (Venables) compensated assistants in the country according to Post & Courier research
No word yet on just how much that is, but it's quite a darn bit. Auburn Tigers offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn made more than a mil per year, but took a pay cut to become the Arkansas St. Red Wolves head coach anyway.
Dabo Swinney won coach of the year awards largely thanks to his wisdom in hiring Chad Morris as offensive coordinator, who turned a sleepy offensive unit into one of the nation's most improved. Based on that, we'll consider him an expert in hiring very expensive coordinators until proved incorrect. Venables usually held his own in the points-happy Big 12, where he never gave up 70 points in a bowl game.
For more on the Tigers, visit Clemson blog Shakin' the Southland.