How DJ Durkin’s salary stacks against fellow SEC defensive coordinators

AUBURN, AL – April 06, 2024 – Auburn Defensive Coordinator & Linebackers Coach DJ Durkin during the A-Day Spring Game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL. Photo by Austin Perryman

Despite the Auburn Tigers‘ 5-7 finish to the 2024 season, the team showed bright spots, especially on defense.

In its first year led by defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, Auburn limited opponents to 330.8 yards and 117.8 rushing yards per game, which ranked in the top 10 among SEC programs this season. The Tigers also had two players grade above 80.0 for the year according to Pro Football Focus. Edge rushers Jalen McLeod and Keldric Faulk ranked No. 32 and No. 34 in the nation respectively due to their ability to slow down the opposing run game.

According to USA TODAY Sports’ update of assistant coaches’ salaries, Durkin is Auburn’s highest-paid assistant coach and holds the No. 46 salary nationally. How does Durkin’s 2024 earnings stack against the remaining 15 SEC defensive coordinators? Here is a ranking of every SEC defensive coordinator based on their 2024 salary.

16. Zac Alley, Oklahoma

Oklahoma defensive coordinator Zac Alley gestures during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Tennessee Volunteers at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. — Oklahoma defensive coordinator Zac Alley gestures during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Tennessee Volunteers at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Salary: $800,000

Alley kicks off the list after completing his first season as the Sooners‘ defensive coordinator. Oklahoma finished the regular season ranked No. 5 in the SEC by allowing 318.3 yards per game. However, they were considered “middle-of-the-pack” in points allowed by giving up 21.6 points per game, which ranked No. 10.

15. Coleman Hutzler, Mississppi State

Nov 9, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler is held back by assistant coach Matt Holecek as yells at officials as on a pass interference call against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Saul Young/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Salary: $1,000,000

Hutzler, like Alley, is a first-year coordinator at his respective program. Hutzler joined Jeff Lebby’s program after serving two seasons as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at Alabama. His first season in Starkville saw the Bulldogs rank at the bottom in several major categories, including points allowed per game (34.1), rushing yards per game (216.9), and total yards per game (456.4).

14. Jay Bateman, Texas A&M

Oct 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; A detail view of a Texas A&M Aggies helmet on the sideline prior to the game against the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.

Salary: $1,000,000

The trend continues as Bateman is another first-year coordinator. Under Bateman’s watch, Texas A&M allowed 21.3 points per game, which ranked No. 8 in the SEC.

13. Corey Batoon, Missouri

Nov 20, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Missouri Tigers helmet against the Florida Gators during the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Salary: $1,030,000

Missouri built another impressive record in 2024 thanks to the efforts of first-year defensive coordinator Corey Batoon. The Tigers ranked sixth in the SEC in overall yards allowed (319.3) and fourth in passing yards allowed (185.5). Missouri is also one win away from completing its second-straight 10-win season, and will have the opportunity to earn it by facing Iowa in the Music City Bowl.

12. Travis Williams, Arkansas

Arkansas Razorbacks defensive coordinator and former Auburn player and coach Travis Williams cheers with fans as he walks off the field as Auburn Tigers take on Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. Arkansas Razorbacks defeated Auburn Tigers 24-14.

Salary: $1,175,000

Former Auburn linebacker Travis Williams is next on the list. Williams has just completed his second season as the defensive coordinator at Arkansas, where the Razorbacks allowed 366 yards per game. Arkansas’ strong suit this season was its ability to stop the run, which ranked No. 7 in the SEC by allowing 117.8 yards per game.

11. DJ Durkin, Auburn

AUBURN, AL - February 27, 2024 - Auburn Defensive Coordinator & Linebackers Coach DJ Durkin during spring practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, AL.

Photo by Austin Perryman — AUBURN, AL – February 27, 2024 – Auburn Defensive Coordinator & Linebackers Coach DJ Durkin during spring practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, AL. Photo by Austin Perryman

Salary: $1,200,000

Auburn’s run defense was solid under DJ Durkin in 2024. Opponents gained just 117 yards per game this season, and stars such as Keldric Faulk, Jalen McLeod, and Eugene Asante were thorns in every opposing offense’s side this season, thanks to Durkin’s leadership.

10. Clayton White, South Carolina

Nov 13, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; A general view of a South Carolina Gamecocks helmet against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Salary: $1,200,000

Is Clayton White due for a raise? The Gamecocks were close to grabbing a spot in the College Football Playoff this season after building a 9-3 record. The Gamecocks defense played a major role in this season’s success by finishing No. 3 in the SEC in yards allowed (313.8). South Carolina ranked in the top 10 of every major category within the SEC.

9. Austin Armstrong, Florida

Florida Gators defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong coaches Florida Gators defensive back Ahman Covington (31) and Florida Gators defensive back Sharif Denson (0) during University of Florida Gators’ Spring football practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

Salary: $1,201,500

From “potentially underpaid” to “potentially overpaid,” we move on to Florida’s Austin Armstrong. Armstrong is the SEC’s ninth-highest-paid coordinator, earning just over $1.2 million. The Gators finished in the bottom four of every major category this season including total yards (No. 14) and passing yards allowed (No. 13).

8. Tim Banks, Tennessee

Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks speaks at a press conference during Tennessee Football Media Day, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.

Salary: $1,500,000

Tennessee is heading to the college football playoff thanks in part to its strong defense. Led by Banks, the Volunteers rank in the top three of every major category this season within the SEC and rank No. 4 nationally in yards allowed (278.0).

7. Kane Wommack, Alabama

Mar 6, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack gives directions during practice of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team Wednesday.

Salary: $1,550,000

Alabama was strong against the pass and created few scoring opportunities for opponents in its first season under Kane Wommack. Alabama allowed 191.2 passing per game, which ranks No. 4 among SEC teams, and its 17.3 points allowed per game ranks No. 10 nationally.

6. Brad White, Kentucky

UK defensive coordinator Brad White. August 2, 2024 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Salary: $1,750,000

Kentucky stayed near the middle of the SEC rankings in several categories but struggled most at stopping the opposition’s run game. The Wildcats allowed 161.8 yards per game, which ranked No. 15 in the SEC.

5. Pete Kwaitkowski, Texas

12. Pete Kwiatkowski, Texas defensive coordinator, $1,800,000

Salary: $1,800,000

Another defensive coordinator who is due for a raise is Texas’ Pete Kwiatkowski. The Longhorns marched their way to the SEC Championship Game in year one of being an SEC member by leading the conference in three categories: yards allowed (249.8), passing yards allowed (143.1), and points allowed (12.5).

4. Glenn Schumann, Georgia

Georgia Defensive Glenn Schumann arrives before the start of a NCAA college football game against Auburn in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.

Salary: $2,003,000

Glenn Schumann is one of the hottest names on the head coaching market this offseason. Schumann has been a member of Kirby Smart’s staff since his hiring in 2016 and has played a role in two national championships. Schumann and the Georgia defense will aim to win its third national championship in four seasons during the 2024 College Football Playoff.

3. Pete Golding, Ole Miss

Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding signals during football practice in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.

Salary: $2,150,000

Lane Kiffin poached Golding away from Nick Saban and Alabama ahead of the 2023 season and it has ultimately paid off for the Rebels. Ole Miss is the SEC’s top defense at stopping the run (83.5 yards per game) and is second in the SEC in points allowed per game (13.9).

2. Blake Baker, LSU

Oct 7, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; A general view of a LSU Tigers helmet against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Salary: $2,500,000

LSU is paying a hefty price for its defensive coordinator. What has that gotten them? The Tigers are ranked in the bottom half of the SEC in several categories, with their strongest being pass defense. LSU allows 205.9 yards per game, ranking No. 6 in the conference. However, LSU fails to crack the top 10 in every other category.

1. Clark Lea, Vanderbilt

Nov 25, 2023; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Salary: $3,189,744

Ok, this is a bit of a technicality. Lea is in his third season as the head coach of his alma mater. However, in addition to his head coaching duties, Lea took on the role of defensive coordinator for the 2024 season. Vanderbilt’s best attribute is stopping the run, where they rank No. 10 in the SEC. However, Lea led his team to bowl eligibility and an impressive upset of then-No. 1 Alabama in 2024.

This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: How DJ Durkin’s salary stacks against fellow SEC defensive coordinators

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