Jim Leavitt is staying at Oregon after all, and he’s getting paid a lot of money to do so.
Leavitt on Sunday night signed a new deal to remain with Oregon as their defensive coordinator, according to FS1’s Bruce Feldman. Feldman reports that Leavitt’s new deal is worth an average of $1.7 million per season and goes through 2021, which is the same length of his original contract.
The new deal for #Oregon DC Jim Leavitt is worth an average $1.7 million per year and is thru 2021 season, per sources.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 18, 2017
That’s big-time money for a defensive coordinator. Consider that the $1.15 million he earned last season made him the highest-paid assistant coach of the Pac-12’s public schools. The new deal puts Leavitt in the same class as Clemson DC Brent Venables, who was also among the highest-paid assistants.
There were some questions about Leavitt’s future. When Willie Taggart left for Florida State, one report said Leavitt would join him in Tallahassee. And though Mario Cristobal was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach instead of him, Leavitt has decided to remain with Oregon.
The Ducks allowed 41.4 points per game in 2016 (126th out of 128), and improved to 29 points allowed per game (81st of 130) in Leavitt’s first season.
