Trent Bray has been promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach of the Oregon State Beavers, replacing the outgoing Johnathan Smith. It will be Bray’s first venture into the head coaching circle as he tries to guide Oregon State through murky waters after the realignment of the Pac-12.
What is Bray’s salary, contract, and net worth following his appointment under difficult conference circumstances for the Beavers?
Trent Bray’s Salary and Contract in 2024
Bray has been coaching at Oregon State since 2018 and now gets his chance at the top job. A former linebacker with the Beavers between 2002 and 2005, he bleeds orange and black. As reported by John Canzano, Bray signed a five-year contract that will pay him $2 million per year and a base salary of $1.2 million.
As head coaches go in college football, Bray is paid significantly less than the highest-paid head coaches. Meanwhile, his salary is substantially reduced compared to the man he replaces.
Smith was due to make $5.2 million per season through to 2029 before taking the job with the Spartans. The smaller contract for Bray shows he will need to prove himself as head coach, but also a sign of the times. Oregon State may not be able to throw around big money while its future is uncertain after the death of the Pac-12.
Oregon Live reports that Bray “signed a memorandum of understanding that includes an exclusive negotiating agreement once the school is established in a Power Four or Five conference, and a hefty buyout.”
Despite the smaller contract, Bray has the same budget as Smith to fill out his staff. That total is $4.85 million.
However, money is not the motivator for Bray. He now gets to lead his alma mater into their new era, but that opportunity isn’t without challenge.
With players leaving in the portal, the Beavers roster doesn’t look the same as it did a year ago.
Bray had opportunities to take head coaching roles in 2022 but remained in Corvallis. Speaking in December 2022, Bray said, “Money’s not a motivator for me. I’m kind of motivated by success, and then the quality of life and the opportunity here to be successful and keep it going is great.”
Trent Bray’s Net Worth
Signing a five-year contract for $2 million per year could give Bray a net worth of $10 million. However, that doesn’t include incentives woven into his contract. It also doesn’t consider the money he has earned from his coaching career thus far.
Bray has been coaching since 2008 and was most recently the defensive coordinator for Oregon State. He also had a stint as an interim head coach with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, but it lasted a matter of days before they hired Scott Frost in 2017.
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