Postseason Offers Coaches Chance for Big Bonuses

Between their teams' success so far and what they can still accomplish in this weekend's conference championship games and the College Football Playoff, four head coaches have a chance to end up with $1 million or more in bonuses.

And that's without counting awards for coach of the year honors or meeting other goals.

Because of adjustments to his contract that occurred after his team's run to last season's CFP title game, Clemson's Dabo Swinney already is in position to receive $300,000 in bonuses as long as the team's final NCAA Academic Progress Rate is at least 950 -- which is anticipated, Clemson athletics spokesman Joe Galbraith said Thursday.

If the Tigers defeat Virginia Tech for the Atlantic Coast Conference championship Saturday and go on to win the national title, Swinney's bonus total will grow to $1.4 million.

The coaches in Friday night's Pac-12 title game also have a chance for $1 million in on-field bonuses.

Washington's Chris Petersen has secured $125,000 so far, but he would reach $1 million by reaching the CFP final and get another $500,000 for winning it.

Colorado's Mike MacIntyre has picked up $375,000 and does not get an additional amount specifically for the Pac-12 title, although it would guarantee the additional $50,000 he gets if his team plays in any of the six bowl games affiliated with the CFP.

Penn State's James Franklin can get a maximum of $1 million in bonuses of any kind in any one year, according to the financial term sheet the university released when he was hired in January 2014. (Under Pennsylvania law, Penn State is not required to release Franklin's contract, and it has not done so.)

He already has secured $550,000 in bonuses, including $100,000 for a Big Ten coach of the year award. He would reach $950,000 with wins in the Big Ten title game and a CFP semifinal. If not for the $1 million cap, Franklin would have been able to exceed that amount with a national title.

Below are details of bonuses achieved and available to head coaches whose teams are in contention for the CFP semifinals, based on documents obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

Clemson's Dabo Swinney

HAS ...

$75,000: Play in non-CFP bowl game

$75,000: Play in ACC title game

$150,000: 11 regular-season wins

CAN GET ...

$75,000: Win ACC title

One of the following:

-- $125,000: Play in CFP non-semifinal, which includes the Orange, Cotton, Rose and Sugar bowls

-- $325,000: Play in CFP semifinal

One of the following:

-- $100,000: Win CFP non-semifinal

-- $400,000: Win CFP semifinal

$100,000: Win CFP title game

One of the following, based on team's ranking in the final Amway Coaches or AP poll:

-- $50,000: No. 15-11

-- $100,000: No. 10-6

-- $200,000: Top five

Alabama's Nick Saban

HAS ...

$75,000: Play in Southeastern Conference title game

$90,000: Play in Citrus, Outback, TaxSlayer, Music City, Texas, Belk or Liberty bowls

CAN GET ...

$50,000: Win SEC title

One of the following:

-- $35,000: Play in CFP non-semifinal

-- $110,000: Play in CFP semifinal

-- $210,000: Play in CFP title game

-- $310,000: Win CFP title

Ohio State's Urban Meyer

HAS ...

$50,000: Big Ten East Division co-champ

CAN GET ...

One of the following:

-- $200,000: Play in CFP non-semifinal

-- $250,000: Play in CFP semifinal

-- $350,000: Play in CFP title game

Washington's Chris Petersen

HAS ...

$50,000: Play in Pac-12 title game

$75,000: Play in any bowl game

CAN GET ...

$100,000: Win Pac-12 title

One of the following:

-- $75,000: Play in non-CFP bowl game as first or second team selected from Pac-12

-- $225,000: Play in CFP non-semifinal

-- $325,000: Play in CFP semifinal

One of the following:

-- $450,000: Play in CFP title game

-- $500,000: Win CFP title

Michigan's Jim Harbaugh

HAS ...

None

CAN GET ...

One of the following:

-- $200,000: Play in CFP non-semifinal

-- $300,000: Play in CFP semifinal

$500,000: Win CFP title game

Wisconsin's Paul Chryst

HAS ...

$40,000: Play in Big Ten title game

$100,000: Play in Outback, Citrus, Holiday or TaxSlayer bowls

CAN GET ...

$50,000: Win Big Ten title

$50,000: Play in any CFP bowl game

One of the following:

-- $50,000: Win CFP non-semifinal

-- $100,000: Play in CFP title game

$50,000: Win CFP title

Penn State's James Franklin

HAS ...

$250,000: Play in Big Ten title game

$200,000: Play in any bowl game

CAN GET (subject to maximum of $1 million) ...

$100,000: Win Big Ten title

One of the following:

-- $100,000: Play in CFP non-semifinal

-- $200,000: Play in CFP semifinal

$100,000: Play in CFP title game

$300,000: Win CFP title game

Colorado's Mike MacIntyre

HAS ...

$200,000: Play in non-CFP bowl game

$50,000: Win seven regular-season games

$25,000: Win eight regular-season games

$100,000: Play in Pac-12 title game

CAN GET ...

$50,000: Play in any CFP bowl game

$750,000: Win CFP title game

Note: The bonus language of some contracts has not been updated to reflect the College Football Playoff. Schools whose contracts still mention the Bowl Championship Series were given the opportunity to advise USA TODAY Sports of how they are interpreting those provisions in the context of the CFP.

This does not take into account contingencies that could alter or prevent payment of bonuses (i.e. academic achievement, coach's departure, future investigations and/or sanctions). Does not include bonuses for coaching honors, team academics/citizenship/community service, or the value of tickets and perks tied to participation in postseason games.

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December 2, 2016