Leach, Grinch get extensions, other assistants get raises

Following an 8-5 campaign in 2016 that ended with a loss in the Holiday Bowl, head coach Mike Leach is extended and every retained Washington State assistant coach will get a raise from the season prior. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, in addition to his raise, was also extended through June of 2020, according to the contracts obtained by Stefanie Loh of the Seattle Times.

Mike Leach received no raise for this coming season or beyond, but athletic director Bill Moos did roll his contract over an additional season. Leach is now under contract through the conclusion of the 2021 season.

Overall, WSU will spend $160,000 more this year on their assistants than last year, though the number would’ve been larger had Joe Salave’a remained on staff. Special teams coach Eric Mele and outside linebacker coach Roy Manning got the largest raises of $30,000, bringing their annual salary to $231,500 and $301,500 respectively. Grinch’s raise of $25,000 brings him to a $600,000 yearly salary; that number will get to $650,000 by the final year of his contract.

Every other coach that remained on staff from the previous season got a $15,000 raise, including strength coach Jsason Loscalzo.

WSU saved a lot of money from Joe Salave’a departure as the now Oregon defensive line coach was set to make $400,000 in 2017. His replacement, Jeff Phelps from Minnesota, will make nearly $80,000 less. The school also saved a couple thousand on JaMarcus Shepard’s replacement at inside receiver coach Derek Sage.

According to Loh, if you include Loscalzo’s salary, WSU is now spending over $3 million per year on their assistants, more than Mike Leach’s yearly compensation.