Clemson’s Swinney gets raise to nearly $7 million a year

File-This July 13, 2017, file photo shows Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney speaking to the media during the Atlantic Coast Conference NCAA college football media day in Charlotte, N.C. Swinney is getting a hefty raise after winning the national championship. The university announced Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, its Board of Trustees approved a new 8-year, $54 million contract for Swinney. The deal pays Swinney $6 million this season, has $3.2 million in signing bonuses in three installments and includes a $6 million buyout until the end of 2018. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)

By Associated Press August 25, 2017 1 min read

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) – Clemson coach is getting a hefty raise after winning the national championship.

The university announced Friday its Board of Trustees approved a new 8-year, $54 million contract for Swinney. The deal pays Swinney $6 million this season, has $3.2 million in signing bonuses in three installments and includes a $6 million buyout until the end of 2018.

Clemson athletics director Dan Radakovich says the school thought Swinney earned a salary similar to the other three active coaches with national championships. Only Alabama’s Nick Saban and Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh will be paid more this year.

Swinney was paid just over $4.5 million in 2016 before his team beat Alabama to win Swinney’s first national championship.

He was paid $800,000 in in first full season with the Tigers in 2009.