Auburn football team’s $5.3 million budget for assistants second highest in country

Will Muschamp was the highest paid assistant football coach in the country during his brief return to the Plains.

The now former Auburn defensive coordinator’s $1.6 million salary in 2015 was the highest in college football according to USA Today’s annual assistant coaches salary database.

Muschamp wasn’t the lone SEC coordinator at the top of the list.

The conference featured four of the five highest paid assistants with LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron at No. 2 ($1.51 million), Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart at No. 3 ($1.5 million) and Texas A&M defensive coordinator John Chavis at No. 4 ($1.5 million).

Auburn’s total budget for assistants of $5,341,900 was second highest in the country behind LSU.

The top of the list was also SEC heavy with six of the top 10 highest paid staffs located in the conference — Alabama is at No. 3, Georgia at No. 4, Texas A&M at No. 5 and South Carolina at No. 10.

Auburn’s 2015 assistant coach salaries (according to USA Today)

Defensive Coordinator Will Muschamp - $1.6 million

Offensive Coordinator Rhett Lashlee - $603,500

Defensive Line coach Rodney Garner - $603,500

Defensive Backs coach Travaris Robinson - $550,000

Wide Receivers coach Dameyune Craig - $503,800

Linebackers coach Lance Thompson - $450,000

Offensive Line coach J.B. Grimes - $373,500

Special Teams coach Scott Fountain - $329,100

Running backs coach Tim Horton - $328,500

For USA Today’s full database click here.

Michael Niziolek covers Auburn football for the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. Email him at mniziolek@ledger-enquirer.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+