Indiana football coach Kevin Wilson began the 2015 season with his job apparently in jeopardy, but he comes out of the season with a contract extension.
The university announced Monday that Wilson signed a new six-year contract that is worth a total of $15.3 million, which breaks down to $2.55 million annually.
In the 2015 season, Wilson earned $1.3 million, which was the second-lowest salary for a Big Ten head coach, according to the USA Today’s salary database.
“This contract reflects our commitment to Kevin, to continuity, and to Indiana University Football,” Indiana athletic director Fred Glass said in a statement. “Kevin has done a great job building our program into one that is competitive with the great teams of the Big Ten and the nation. We are confident that he will continue to lead us to sustained success on the field and in the classroom.”
The Hoosiers have not finished with a winning record in any of Wilson’s five seasons as head coach. Wilson has a 20-41 record at Indiana, and he had his best season in 2015, when Indiana went 6-6 in the regular season but lost to Pittsburgh in the Pinstripe Bowl. It was Indiana’s first bowl appearance since 2007.
The Hoosiers were just 2-6 in the Big Ten last year, but they had a number of close losses to the conference’s top teams: They fell to Ohio State and Michigan by seven points apiece and to Iowa by eight points. Indiana ranked 14th in the country in total offense.
“Thank you to President McRobbie, the Board of Trustees, Mr. Glass and the entire athletics administration for their support,” Wilson said in a statement. “Coupled with an already solid foundation, this ensures stability as we continue to build a winning program in the Big Ten East, one of the great divisions in college football. The administration has shown a total commitment to our program development, continuity, staffing, recruiting and facilities, and has invested heavily in the development of and experience for our students.
“We are excited for the opportunity and embrace the challenge ahead. My family and I love Indiana and we are all proud Hoosiers. Go IU!”