The salaries of college football coaches have skyrocketed in recent years, as the arms race among top athletic departments escalates year by year.
To wit, although $1 in 2012 is now worth $1.23, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, last season Ed Orgeron earned more than double what Les Miles was paid in 2012.
To get an idea of how rapidly coaching salaries are rising, LSU Tigers Wire lists the annual compensation paid out to LSU head football coaches over the past decade below.
[Source: USA TODAY college football coaching salary database; figures do not include income from non-university sources, incentive bonuses or the value of perks and benefits.]
2012 – Les Miles
Les Miles
LSU coach Les Miles watches the action during a game against Arkansas at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Nov. 23, 2012. (Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports)
Pay from university: $3,751,000
Final record: 10-3
Postseason: Lost Chick-fil-A Bowl to Clemson, 25-24
2013 – Les Miles
Les Miles
LSU coach Les Miles leads his team onto the field before a game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Sept. 28, 2013. (Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports)
Pay from university: $4,300,000
Final record: 10-3
Postseason: Won Outback Bowl over Iowa, 21-14
2014 – Les Miles
Les Miles
LSU coach Les Miles speaks to the media during SEC Football Media Days in Hoover, Alabama, on July 16, 2014. (Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports)
Pay from university: $4,300,000
Final record: 8-5
Postseason: Lost Music City Bowl to Notre Dame, 31-28
2015 – Les Miles
Les Miles
LSU coach Les Miles and the Tigers run onto the field before playing Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium in Houston on Dec. 29, 2015. (Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports)
Pay from university: $4,300,000
Final record: 9-3
Postseason: Won Texas Bowl over Texas Tech, 56-27
2016 – Les Miles
Les Miles
LSU coach Les Miles and the Tigers get ready to take the field at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, on Sept. 24, 2016. (John Reed-USA TODAY…