Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, December 12, 2013

USA Today came out with its annual look at the salaries of football assistant coaches. And, as you can see, many don?t have to think twice when deciding whether to order an appetizer with dinner at Applebee?s. And several Big Ten assistants are among those with the fattest wallets.

Michigan has the two highest-paid assistants in the Big Ten. Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison is the fourth-highest paid assistant in the nation, making a cool $851,400. Offensive coordinator Al Borges is ninth in the country, making $709,300. That?ll buy a lot of corned beef sandwiches at Zingerman?s.

Nebraska offensive coordinator Tim Beck is No. 11 with a salary of $700,000. Next up is Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell, who makes $610,000, followed by OSU co-defensive coordinator Everett Withers at $585,000.

Others in the half-million club:

  • Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi: $558,908
  • Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman: $555,000

Who seems underpaid? Narduzzi. The guy should be the highest-paid assistant in the Big Ten. C?mon.

The lowest reported salary on the USAToday report? Purdue linebackers coach Marcus Freeman and running backs coach Jafar Williams, who each make $120,000. It?s cheap livin? in West Lafayette. I know.

The lowest-paid coordinators are the co-offensive coordinators at Michigan State. Dave Warner makes $280,800 and Jim Bollman makes $262,000. And Indiana co-offensive coordinator Kevin Johns makes $256,500. Nebraska defensive coordinator John Papuchis is the lowest-paid coordinator who isn?t a co-coordinator at $310,000.

Iowa has the lowest-paid coordinator tandem: defensive coordinator Phil Parker makes $325,500 and offensive coordinator Greg Davis makes $325,000.

The highest paid assistant with no coordinator title: Wisconsin running backs coach Thomas Hammock and Ohio State running backs coach Stan Drayton, who each makes $300,000.

Now, go ask your boss for raise.

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About Tom Dienhart BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section.

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