Ridgeland High School head football coach Mark MariakisIt’s the Holy Grail of high school coaching supplements — though, technically, it isn’t a stipend — and to get it, a person better know football.
The extended-month contract, regularly given to principals and assistant principals, can mean several thousand dollars in extra earnings. Such contracts often are part of the financial packages given to head football coaches.
Not every school system, including Hamilton County, offers them to coaches, and those who get them understand their value.
“To me, it’s just part of the financial package here,” said Ridgeland football coach Mark Mariakis, who is on an 11-month contract. “It really doesn’t factor into the amount of hours a coach is going to work. You’re going to work as long as it takes to get the job done. Now, it does make a difference financially. That extra month adds quite a bit to your salary.”
Football head coaches in Georgia’s Walker and Catoosa counties get 200 days of pay instead of the regular contract of 180 days. Offensive and defensive coordinators in those counties receive 190 days.