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It shouldn’t be a surprise that Boise State’s budget is the smallest in the field; that would be true for almost every Group of 5 program. But the numbers are still striking.
At least 18 assistants in the Playoff make more than Danielson. The number is likely higher, but assistants’ salaries are not available for Notre Dame, Penn State and SMU.
Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles makes the most at $2.2 million — almost twice Danielson’s salary. Divide Smart’s salary evenly across the year, and he makes nearly as much in a month ($1.1 million) as Danielson earns in a year.
Notre Dame ($21.9 million) and Penn State ($18.4 million) both reported more in operating expenses than Boise State spent on its entire football program ($17.1 million). At least four schools had coaching salary pools that exceeded Boise State’s budget: Georgia, Texas, Ohio State and Clemson.
Seven of the participating programs reported a larger surplus — total revenue minus total expenses — than the Broncos made, period ($24.0 million). Texas’ surplus ($121.9 million) is five times Boise State’s revenue."