After leaving Nevada for Colorado State, Jay Norvell signed a contract that made him one of the highest-paid coaches in the Mountain West. He acquires more flexibility with staffing and bonuses every year for certain achievements.
Jay Norvell’s Salary and Contract in 2023
Norvell helped turn around the Nevada program into a respectable Mountain West program, and that success helped him get a better contract with Colorado State. His contract started on December 6, 2021. Here’s what we know about the details of that agreement.
His base salary started at $1.6 million and goes up by $100,000 yearly for a salary of $2 million in 2026. If the Rams fire Norvell, they owe him decreasing amounts in 2023 ($3 million), 2024 ($2.5 million), 2025 ($1.5 million), and 2026 (remainder of base pay). Norvell owes Colorado State similar amounts should he leave the Rams.
Bonuses come into play for various different achievements. Norvell gets a bonus on his contract for conference games, overall games, and even includes some for bowl games and playoff performances.
The details for winning games are listed here:
- $25,000 for winning four conference games
- $25,000 for winning five conference games
- $50,000 for winning six conference games
- $50,000 for a seventh overall win in a season
- $50,000 for an eighth overall win in a season
- $50,000 for a ninth overall win in a season
- $50,000 for winning 10 or more games in a season
- $50,000 for qualification in the conference championship game
- $50,000 for winning the conference championship game
Colorado State aspires to make a bowl game frequently, which Norvell will be rewarded for in his contract. He also gets bonuses if the Rams shock the world and become a factor in the College Football Playoff race.
- $50,000 for being selected to play in a bowl game
- $50,000 for winning a bowl game
- $100,000 for selection to play in “a host bowl as part of the College Football Playoff”
- $150,000 for selection to play in the semifinal of the College Football Playoff
- $200,000 for playing in the final of the College Football Playoff
- $100,000 for winning the College Football Playoff
Norvell also receives bonuses for winning individual awards, specifically winning conference coach of the year ($25,000 for the first time, $125,000 for the fifth time) and $100,000 for winning national coach of the year.