Georgia football releases salary for new OC Todd Monken

ATHENS — New Georgia football offensive coordinator Todd Monken has an annual compensation package worth $1.1 million, per contract information obtained by DawgNation.

It’s a multi-year contract with a memorandum of understanding in place, but the long-form contract has yet to be fully executed.

Monken assumed the OC role formerly held by James Coley, who made $950,000 as the Bulldogs’ OC and quarterbacks coach last season. Coley currently remains on staff, assigned the title of assistant head coach.

Monken was the offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns last season. The year before, Monken directed the NFL’s top passing team, serving as OC and play caller for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

READ: How Kirby Smart has recharged Georgia football in offseason

The staff vacancy that enabled Kirby Smart to hire Monken came about when special teams coach Scott Fountain left the UGA staff to assume the same position at Arkansas.

Georgia’s other staff hire this offseason was former Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke, who replaced Sam Pittman as the Georgia offensive line coach in December.

Luke’s contract calls for him to make $900,000 annually — the same Pittman made in 2019 at UGA before being hired as Arkansas’ new head coach.

Monken is the second assistant coach under Smart to pass the $1 million annual salary mark. Former defensive coordinator Mel Tucker was paid $1.5 million in 2018 before being hired away to become the Colorado head football coach.

Former UGA offensive coordinator Jim Chaney was the Bulldogs OC in 2018 and made $950,000 before leaving for the same position at Tennessee. Chaney signed a three-year deal with the Vols worth $4.8 million. Chaney made $1.5 million in 2019 and is due a $100,000 escalator raise each of the next two offseasons.

Steve Sarkisian at Alabama was the nation’s highest paid offensive coordinator last season at $1.55 million, per the USA Today coaches’ salary data chart, followed by Chaney.

Monken has a base salary of $390,000 with supplemental play of $710,000 per the Freedom of Information Act information obtained by DawgNation. UGA did not provide the length of Monken’s contract, or any other details at this time.

Georgia hired former Southern Miss OC Buster Faulkner to an off-the-field offensive analyst role on Monday. Faulkner, who reportedly made $250,000 last season in Hattiesburg, will make $150,000, per UGA.

Southern Miss led Conference USA in passing offense last season.

Here’s a complete look at the Georgia football assistant salaries last season: