The Kentucky Wildcats have two new football coaches and several other current guys getting new contracts this offseason.
Eddie Gran is the new offensive coordinator, and according to Jen Smith of the Lexington Herald-Leader, is getting paid handsomely for such. Gran reportedly signed a deal that pays him $650,000 annually through June 30, 2019. That means he's under contract through the 2018 season while being among the top 35 highest-paid assistant coaches in college football.
As for Darin Hinshaw, the new co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, will make $400,000 annually through June 30, 2018, meaning he's only under contract through the 2017 season.
Also, it looks like current defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot or receivers coach Chad Scott will be getting new contracts.
UK official confirms that even though D.J. Eliot now has a co-defensive coordinator his contract will not change this offseason.
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) January 6, 2016
New title (from RB coach to WR coach) also will not equal a new contract for Chad Scott, UK spokesman said.
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) January 6, 2016
Scott was the more likely to get a new deal since he's coaching a different position, whereas nothing has changed for Eliot, even though secondary coach Derrick Ansley is now the co-defensive coordinator.
Getting Hinshaw and Gran to Lexington certainly wasn't easy or cheap, but this is a good sign of UK being more committed to the football program by willing to spend that kind of money.
When Randy Sanders left as offensive coordinator, he was making $380,000 a season. Head coach of offense at UK making $650,000 next year.
— Jen Smith (@jenheraldleader) January 6, 2016