Big raises for two UK football assistants. Contract revealed for newest coach.
They say defense wins championships. Following the completion of the University of Kentucky’s 2019 college football season, it also resulted in pay increases for every assistant coach on that side of the ball.
In addition to defensive coordinator Brad White, assistants Steve Clinkscale and Jon Sumrall received extensions and raises to their previously existing contracts. Both agreed to new deals in January along with Anwar Stewart, who joined the staff this offseason.
Clinkscale, the program’s defensive backs coach, agreed to a one-year extension through June 2022 and will receive an immediate raise in his base compensation. Beginning Feb. 1, Clinkscale will make $41,666.67 a month ($500,000 annually), an increase of more than $8,000 a month under the terms of his previous deal, which ran through June 2021.
Sumrall, a former UK player, joined the program as its inside linebackers coach ahead of the 2019 season. He too received a one-year extension (through June 2022) and an immediate raise, but his pay is scheduled to increase again. Sumrall, beginning Jan. 1, is set to make $54,167 per month ($650,000 annually) through June 2021. His base compensation will rise to $56,250 ($675,000 annually) on July 1, 2021.
Stewart, another former player who served as a student assistant under Stoops in the 2017 and 2018 seasons, was hired as UK’s defensive line coach this month to replace Derrick LeBlanc, who left for the same position at Arkansas. Stewart’s contract began Jan. 10 and runs through June 2022; he’s set to make a base rate of $25,000 a month ($300,000 annually) for the length of the deal. LeBlanc, whose contract was set to expire on June 30, was paid a monthly rate of $27,083.33 ($325,000 annually) last season.
In addition to LeBlanc, Kentucky’s defense lost Dean Hood this offseason. Hood, who coached special teams and helped with UK’s defensive backs, was hired as the head coach at Murray State University.
See: Steve Clinkscale’s new contract amendment
See: Jon Sumrall’s new contract amendment
Bonuses and early termination
Clauses related to bonuses and voluntary early termination of the contracts remained as they were previously. If either Clinkscale or Sumrall were to leave UK for another coaching position during the term length agreed to during their contracts, they would owe UK $150,000 per year remaining on the agreement. Stewart would owe the university $100,000 if he leaves for another coaching position.
An appearance in a postseason bowl results in a bonus of one month’s salary, an appearance in the Southeastern Conference championship game results in a bonus of one and a half month’s salary and an appearance in the College Football Playoff results in a bonus of two-months salary. Those bonuses are non-cumulative: If UK plays Alabama in the SEC championship game and then plays in a bowl game unrelated to the College Football Playoff, the coaches would receive only the bonus for making the SEC title game.
UK finished 8-5 in the 2019 season and ended its campaign with a 37-30 win over Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl. It was the program’s fourth consecutive appearance in a bowl game, the second-longest streak in school history, and its second straight win in a postseason game. The Wildcats ranked No. 14 nationally in total defense (324.4 yards per game) and points allowed (19.3 points per game).
This story was originally published January 22, 2020 at 5:00 PM.
