Steve Berkowitz
@byberkowitz.bsky.social
Sports projects reporter for USA TODAY Sports. E-mail is: sberkowitz@usatoday.com
Andrew Luck is paving a new road with supreme power over football as Stanford's GM, writes @usatodaysports.usatoday.com's Matt Hayes: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
Andrew Luck paving a new road with supreme power over football as Stanford's GM
Forget individual needs, Stanford GM Andrew Luck believes in creating team legacies. He gets to do that with supreme power in new role with Cardinal.
www.usatoday.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Andrew Luck is paving a new road with supreme power over football as Stanford's GM, writes @usatodaysports.usatoday.com's Matt Hayes: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
College football is still sorting out how to manage new world of transfers, NIL, pay to players. So far, there's no consensus about how to build a front office to handle it. A look at some of the most interesting setups, with @mgiannotto.bsky.social and John Heasly: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
Inside college football's GM race and how new position of power is changing the sport
College football's race to hire a general manager and build a front office is well underway in the NIL era. Here are some potential trend-setters.
www.usatoday.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:23 PM
College football is still sorting out how to manage new world of transfers, NIL, pay to players. So far, there's no consensus about how to build a front office to handle it. A look at some of the most interesting setups, with @mgiannotto.bsky.social and John Heasly: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
The first @usatodaysports.usatoday.com survey of Power Four conference football GMs/front-office leaders is up and running. There are at least 13 such employees making $500,000 or more: sportsdata.usatoday.com/ncaa/salarie...
October 23, 2025 at 1:19 PM
The first @usatodaysports.usatoday.com survey of Power Four conference football GMs/front-office leaders is up and running. There are at least 13 such employees making $500,000 or more: sportsdata.usatoday.com/ncaa/salarie...
U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Mass., is raising questions about — and demanding answers and documents from — College Sports Commission concerning its procedures for approving athletes’ NIL deals with entities other than their schools: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
College Sports Commission 'sowing new chaos in college athletics', U.S. Rep demands answers
A member of the U.S. House of Representatives is raising questions about — and demanding answers from — the recently created College Sports Commission
www.usatoday.com
October 11, 2025 at 2:52 PM
U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Mass., is raising questions about — and demanding answers and documents from — College Sports Commission concerning its procedures for approving athletes’ NIL deals with entities other than their schools: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
University of California football GM, and former NFL coach, Ron Rivera is making $800,000 annually and can earn $800,000 in additional performance-based bonuses, according to information released today to @usatodaysports.usatoday.com: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
Cal makes Ron Rivera one of college football's highest-paid GMs
California Golden Bears football revealed more salary information about the significant investment it made in former NFL coach and new GM Ron Rivera.
www.usatoday.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:25 PM
University of California football GM, and former NFL coach, Ron Rivera is making $800,000 annually and can earn $800,000 in additional performance-based bonuses, according to information released today to @usatodaysports.usatoday.com: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
Collegiate Commissioners Association has sent letter to members of U.S. House of Representatives saying commissioners of 31 Division I conferences back passage of SCORE Act, bill from Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) that has passed two committees and can be brought to floor
October 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Collegiate Commissioners Association has sent letter to members of U.S. House of Representatives saying commissioners of 31 Division I conferences back passage of SCORE Act, bill from Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) that has passed two committees and can be brought to floor
Sen. Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on Commerce Committee, announces she has sent letter to Big Ten school CEO's concerning possible private-capital deal.
October 10, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Sen. Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on Commerce Committee, announces she has sent letter to Big Ten school CEO's concerning possible private-capital deal.
Halfway through his team's regular season, a major-college football head coach is still working without a contract. A look at Ohio University's arrangement with Brian Smith: usatoday.com/story/sports... via
@usatodaysports.usatoday.com
@usatodaysports.usatoday.com
Ohio University football coach Brian Smith working without a contract
For a second consecutive football season, there is a major-college coach who is essentially working without a contract, at least for now.
usatoday.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Halfway through his team's regular season, a major-college football head coach is still working without a contract. A look at Ohio University's arrangement with Brian Smith: usatoday.com/story/sports... via
@usatodaysports.usatoday.com
@usatodaysports.usatoday.com
Inside Bill Belichick's 'first of its kind' escape hatch in North Carolina contract, from Blake Toppmeyer on Day 2 of content connected to @usatodaysports.usatoday.com annual college football head coaches' pay survey: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
Inside Bill Belichick's 'first of its kind' escape hatch in North Carolina contract
Bill Belichick's buyout structure if North Carolina fired him is exceptionally unusual for a college football coaching contract.
www.usatoday.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Inside Bill Belichick's 'first of its kind' escape hatch in North Carolina contract, from Blake Toppmeyer on Day 2 of content connected to @usatodaysports.usatoday.com annual college football head coaches' pay survey: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
During 2019 football season -- last one before the pandemic -- there were two college head coaches making over $8 million, none making over $9.5M.
This season, nine coaches are making more than $10 million, with another now at an annualized total of $10M.
sportsdata.usatoday.com/ncaa/salarie...
This season, nine coaches are making more than $10 million, with another now at an annualized total of $10M.
sportsdata.usatoday.com/ncaa/salarie...
Highest Paid College Football Coaches & Salaries - USA TODAY
Ever wondered who the highest paid coach in college football is? Find out today with USA TODAY's complete salary data.
sportsdata.usatoday.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:05 PM
During 2019 football season -- last one before the pandemic -- there were two college head coaches making over $8 million, none making over $9.5M.
This season, nine coaches are making more than $10 million, with another now at an annualized total of $10M.
sportsdata.usatoday.com/ncaa/salarie...
This season, nine coaches are making more than $10 million, with another now at an annualized total of $10M.
sportsdata.usatoday.com/ncaa/salarie...
Colorado is paying big bucks for Deion Sanders and his players, but how? Answer is ‘TBD’ -- a special report from @schrotenboer.bsky.social, with me and John Heasly: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
Colorado is paying big bucks for Deion Sanders and his players, but how? Answer is ‘TBD’
Colorado has committed to paying tens of millions for coach Deion Sanders and his players. The question is how. Right now, it's a mystery
www.usatoday.com
October 8, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Colorado is paying big bucks for Deion Sanders and his players, but how? Answer is ‘TBD’ -- a special report from @schrotenboer.bsky.social, with me and John Heasly: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
The 2025 @usatodaysports.usatoday.com college football head coaches' pay survey is up and running:
October 8, 2025 at 11:13 AM
The 2025 @usatodaysports.usatoday.com college football head coaches' pay survey is up and running:
Firings so far this season by Arkansas, Oklahoma State, UCLA and Virginia Tech have those schools committed to buyouts totaling $37.1 million, subject to mitigation and offset, but not including amounts that also will be owed to assistant coaches
Arkansas fires football head coach Sam Pittman. Per contract, he will be due a buyout of about $9.3 million, subject to a duty to mitigate, with the school entitled to offset from future income:
www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
Why was Sam Pittman fired at Arkansas? Record, buyout info for Razorbacks coach
Arkansas has fired Sam Pittman following a demoralizing loss to Notre Dame that dropped the Razorbacks' record to 2-3 on the season. What to know:
www.usatoday.com
September 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Firings so far this season by Arkansas, Oklahoma State, UCLA and Virginia Tech have those schools committed to buyouts totaling $37.1 million, subject to mitigation and offset, but not including amounts that also will be owed to assistant coaches
Arkansas fires football head coach Sam Pittman. Per contract, he will be due a buyout of about $9.3 million, subject to a duty to mitigate, with the school entitled to offset from future income:
www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
Why was Sam Pittman fired at Arkansas? Record, buyout info for Razorbacks coach
Arkansas has fired Sam Pittman following a demoralizing loss to Notre Dame that dropped the Razorbacks' record to 2-3 on the season. What to know:
www.usatoday.com
September 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Arkansas fires football head coach Sam Pittman. Per contract, he will be due a buyout of about $9.3 million, subject to a duty to mitigate, with the school entitled to offset from future income:
www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
www.usatoday.com/story/sports...
From earlier: Virginia Tech fires football coach Brent Pry. Per his contract -- which had been set to run thru 12/1/27 -- he is owed buyout of just over $6.8 million. He has no specified duty to mitigate, but school would get offset from his future income.
September 14, 2025 at 7:26 PM
From earlier: Virginia Tech fires football coach Brent Pry. Per his contract -- which had been set to run thru 12/1/27 -- he is owed buyout of just over $6.8 million. He has no specified duty to mitigate, but school would get offset from his future income.
From earlier: UCLA fires football coach Deshaun Foster after 0-3 start to season. Per his contract -- which had been set to run thru 1/31/2029 -- he is owed buyout of nearly $6.1 million, subject to his duty to mitigate, with offset usatoday.com/story/sports... via
@usatoday
@usatoday
UCLA fires football coach Deshaun Foster after 0-3 start to 2025 season
Deshaun Foster ends his tumultuous tenure as UCLA coach at 5-10, including three consecutive losses to start the season.
usatoday.com
September 14, 2025 at 7:25 PM
From earlier: UCLA fires football coach Deshaun Foster after 0-3 start to season. Per his contract -- which had been set to run thru 1/31/2029 -- he is owed buyout of nearly $6.1 million, subject to his duty to mitigate, with offset usatoday.com/story/sports... via
@usatoday
@usatoday
This bonus will increase to $25,000 if Utes are listed in top 25 of College Football Playoff rankings any time prior to final rankings, or to $150,000 if Utes are in final CFP or AP top 25.
Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham picks up $15,000 bonus, as Utes are No. 25 in this week's AP media rankings.
He gets this amount if team is in AP or US LBM Coaches Poll (in yrs when Whittingham isn't a voter, which is case this year) any time prior to end of regular season.
He gets this amount if team is in AP or US LBM Coaches Poll (in yrs when Whittingham isn't a voter, which is case this year) any time prior to end of regular season.
September 2, 2025 at 6:14 PM
This bonus will increase to $25,000 if Utes are listed in top 25 of College Football Playoff rankings any time prior to final rankings, or to $150,000 if Utes are in final CFP or AP top 25.
Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham picks up $15,000 bonus, as Utes are No. 25 in this week's AP media rankings.
He gets this amount if team is in AP or US LBM Coaches Poll (in yrs when Whittingham isn't a voter, which is case this year) any time prior to end of regular season.
He gets this amount if team is in AP or US LBM Coaches Poll (in yrs when Whittingham isn't a voter, which is case this year) any time prior to end of regular season.
September 2, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham picks up $15,000 bonus, as Utes are No. 25 in this week's AP media rankings.
He gets this amount if team is in AP or US LBM Coaches Poll (in yrs when Whittingham isn't a voter, which is case this year) any time prior to end of regular season.
He gets this amount if team is in AP or US LBM Coaches Poll (in yrs when Whittingham isn't a voter, which is case this year) any time prior to end of regular season.
Oklahoma football coach Brent Venables taking $1 million pay cut for 2025 season, newly obtained contract shows usatoday.com/story/sports... via
@usatoday
@usatoday
Oklahoma football coach Brent Venables takes $1 million pay cut for 2025 season
Ahead of a pivotal season after a bumpy SEC debut, Oklahoma football coach Brent Venables has a new contract that lowers his salary by $1 million.
usatoday.com
August 29, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Oklahoma football coach Brent Venables taking $1 million pay cut for 2025 season, newly obtained contract shows usatoday.com/story/sports... via
@usatoday
@usatoday
Rutgers -- paying $1.1 million guarantee to Ohio -- converts 4th down and 7 from Ohio 28 with just under 2 minutes to play while leading 34-31, then runs out clock to hang on for win by that margin.
Scarlet Knights were 5 for 5 on 4th down tonight.
Scarlet Knights were 5 for 5 on 4th down tonight.
August 29, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Rutgers -- paying $1.1 million guarantee to Ohio -- converts 4th down and 7 from Ohio 28 with just under 2 minutes to play while leading 34-31, then runs out clock to hang on for win by that margin.
Scarlet Knights were 5 for 5 on 4th down tonight.
Scarlet Knights were 5 for 5 on 4th down tonight.
The week's top payouts:
-Michigan: $1.8 million to New Mexico
-Georgia: $1.7 million to Marshall
-Wisconsin: $1.6 million to Miami (Ohio)
-Penn State: $1.6 million to Nevada
-Michigan: $1.8 million to New Mexico
-Georgia: $1.7 million to Marshall
-Wisconsin: $1.6 million to Miami (Ohio)
-Penn State: $1.6 million to Nevada
We're set for kickoff of Week 1 of college football season. The long weekend includes at least 16 games in which the home school will be paying its opponent an appearance guarantee of at least $1 million.
August 28, 2025 at 9:32 PM
The week's top payouts:
-Michigan: $1.8 million to New Mexico
-Georgia: $1.7 million to Marshall
-Wisconsin: $1.6 million to Miami (Ohio)
-Penn State: $1.6 million to Nevada
-Michigan: $1.8 million to New Mexico
-Georgia: $1.7 million to Marshall
-Wisconsin: $1.6 million to Miami (Ohio)
-Penn State: $1.6 million to Nevada
This does not include multi-million-dollar payouts coming to Va Tech and South Carolina for game in Atlanta, or Cincinnati's multi-million-dollar payout for playing "home" game against Nebraska in Kansas City, Mo.
We're set for kickoff of Week 1 of college football season. The long weekend includes at least 16 games in which the home school will be paying its opponent an appearance guarantee of at least $1 million.
August 28, 2025 at 9:31 PM
This does not include multi-million-dollar payouts coming to Va Tech and South Carolina for game in Atlanta, or Cincinnati's multi-million-dollar payout for playing "home" game against Nebraska in Kansas City, Mo.
We're set for kickoff of Week 1 of college football season. The long weekend includes at least 16 games in which the home school will be paying its opponent an appearance guarantee of at least $1 million.
August 28, 2025 at 9:31 PM
We're set for kickoff of Week 1 of college football season. The long weekend includes at least 16 games in which the home school will be paying its opponent an appearance guarantee of at least $1 million.
Per Hawaii's notes for tonight's game: UH’s last wins over a Power Conference team were against the then-Pac-12’s Arizona and Oregon State in back-to-back weeks to open the 2019 season.
College football head coach bonus payouts already are underway! Hawaii coach Timmy Chang gets $7,500 bonus as Rainbow Warriors defeat Stanford on FG as time expires.
Chang gets this amount for a win at home over Power Five/Four team.
Chang gets this amount for a win at home over Power Five/Four team.
August 24, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Per Hawaii's notes for tonight's game: UH’s last wins over a Power Conference team were against the then-Pac-12’s Arizona and Oregon State in back-to-back weeks to open the 2019 season.
College football head coach bonus payouts already are underway! Hawaii coach Timmy Chang gets $7,500 bonus as Rainbow Warriors defeat Stanford on FG as time expires.
Chang gets this amount for a win at home over Power Five/Four team.
Chang gets this amount for a win at home over Power Five/Four team.
August 24, 2025 at 3:09 AM
College football head coach bonus payouts already are underway! Hawaii coach Timmy Chang gets $7,500 bonus as Rainbow Warriors defeat Stanford on FG as time expires.
Chang gets this amount for a win at home over Power Five/Four team.
Chang gets this amount for a win at home over Power Five/Four team.