SEATTLE -- Washington is paying a hefty sum to help coach Steve Sarkisian overhaul his coaching staff.
And the biggest chunk is going to new defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox.
The school released details of Wilcox's agreement on Saturday, nearly three weeks after his hiring was first announced. The 35-year-old Wilcox will make $750,000 in his first season with the Huskies, part of a three-year deal he agreed to after leaving Tennessee after two seasons.
Wilcox was set to make $700,000 this year for the Volunteers, but instead will receive a significant raise with the Huskies. He will make $800,000 in 2013 and $850,000 in 2014.
Washington released details contained in the memorandums of understanding that the Huskies' new assistants have signed. Finalized contracts are still pending. In total, Washington will commit $2.73 million in base salary to its assistants in 2012. That total does not include the approximately $1 million being paid to fired assistants Nick Holt, Mike Cox and Jeff Mills.
Washington's assistants made approximately $2.3 million in base salary in 2011.
The most interesting details are from the agreement signed by new defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi. Considered one of the top recruiters on the West Coast, Lupoi will receive $350,000 per year as part of a three-year deal. He'll also get a $100,000 one-time payment and another $100,000 if he remains on staff all three years.
Lupoi held the same position at California for the past four years. Also coming from California is new offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau, who will make $375,000 this season and see his base pay bump by $25,000 each of the next two years.
The final two additions to Sarkisian's staff will make significantly less and each only have two-year deals. New linebackers coach Peter Sirmon will make $225,000 in 2012 and see a raise of $25,000 in 2013, while secondary coach Keith Heyward will make $150,000 in 2012 and $160,000 in 2013.
All the assistants will be eligible for bonuses based off team success, such as reaching the Pac-12 Conference title game, appearing in a bowl game or appearing in a Bowl Championship Series game.
"These are some of the top coaches and best recruiters in the country, and the fact they have chosen to come to Washington is a credit to the remarkable job coach Sarkisian has done with his program in his three seasons here. This is a desired destination on the national map," Athletic Director Scott Woodward said in a statement on Washington's website.
Three assistants that remain from last season also will receive raises. Johnny Nansen, who is shifting priorities to recruiting coordinator and special teams coach, will get a bump to $200,000 in 2012 and $225,000 in 2013. Wide receivers coach Jimmy Dougherty will get a raise to $190,000 and running backs coach Joel Thomas will make $190,000 this year and $205,000 in 2013.
Sarkisian's contract will pay him $2.25 million in base salary for the 2012 season.
"I think the state of college football and where we're headed it's almost the going rate for successful programs," Sarkisian said. "I think Scott recognizes that, and if you want to get a top-tier defensive coordinator that's where we're headed."
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