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Report: Nike co-founder Phil Knight willing to pay $10 million annually to next Oregon coach
By Jason Hall
Published:
Oregon donor Phil Knight is reportedly planning to give the university an insane amount of money during its next head coaching search. According to ESPN‘s Darren Rovell, the Nike co-founder and chairman emeritus is willing to donate $10 million per year to the university toward a coach’s salary.
There's talk heating up in Oregon that Phil Knight is ready to throw insane $10M+ a year money at a football coach. He's 78, wants a title.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) November 5, 2016
At 78, Knight wants to see his alma matter win a university as soon as possible. With such a high budget, Oregon would have its pick of many of the nation’s top coaches, which could help the program make an immediate jump back into national contention.
That’s bad news for many SEC programs outside of Alabama if their coach falls on the Ducks’ radar. If true, Oregon’s next coach would be the highest-paid in college football, surpassing Jim Harbaugh of Michigan’s $9,004,000 salary.
It’s worth noting that Oregon still hasn’t parted ways with current head coach Mark Helfrich, although many are speculating a move may take place soon after a 3-6 (1-5 Pac-12) start to the 2016 season.
Jason covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
