Assistant coaches’ salaries spiking in football

Trickle down economics are alive and well in college football. With many contracts being negotiated or finalized, nearly a dozen schools in the NCAA’s 120-school Football Bowl Subdivision have made deals under which they will be spending at least 38% more on their offensive or defensive coordinator in 2010 than they did in 2009. These increases come a year after four assistants — Tennessee’s Monte Kiffin and Ed Orgeron, Texas’ Will Muschamp and Washington’s Nick Holt — joined Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher in having deals worth at least $600,000 a year. (Kiffin and Orgeron have moved to Southern California, and Fisher has become Florida State’s head coach.) They also come amid continuing financial distress within higher education. – USA Today

Joe Barry a candidate for Tennessee DC job

Buccaneers linebackers coach Joe Barry is a candidate to become the Tennessee Volunteers’ new defensive coordinator, according to several published reports. The Volunteers are looking to replace Monte Kiffin, who left Tennessee with his son Lane to work for USC a few weeks ago. New Volunteeers head coach Derek Dooley has reportedly contacted Barry about the opportunity. “I really didn’t know coach Dooley from the Man in the Moon until he called,” Barry told the St. Petersburg Times. “But he said he really liked what Monte did on defense there at Tennessee and wanted to continue it. He said through all his research, my name was the one that kept coming up.” Barry re-joined the Bucs last year after a two-year stint as the defensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions. He originally joined the Bucs in 2001. Even if he’s officially offered the job, there’s a chance the Buccaneers would not allow Barry to leave for Tennessee since he still is under contract with the team. – Pewter Report

Phil Fulmer Still Upset at Tennessee Over Firing

Phil Fulmer was approached by some UT big-wigs, who inquired about the possibility of him running for a state house spot. He says he’s not done coaching. Less than 10 months ago he stepped down as Tennessee’s head coach, but not necessarily willingly. UT fans and administration had become restless, and in early November he agreed to step away at the end of the season. “I’m still PO’d to say the least. There’s probably a couple of people there that I’m not going to invite to Christmas dinner any time soon,” Fulmer said. “I’ve chosen the best I can to take the high road. I really love Tennessee, so let there be no doubt about that. It’s very much a part of me.” – Daytona Beach News-Journal

Lane Kiffin’s Wife Loves Knoxville

Moving to Knoxville has afforded Layla Kiffin something that’s very unusual in the world of football - being near family. “For us to be here with my mom and Lane’s dad and mom is just priceless. It’s very rare in this profession to be with family,” she said. Her brother, David Reaves, is also in Knoxville, working with husband Lane Kiffin as quarterback coach for the University of Tennessee. “I told Lane we better do good because I don’t ever want to leave,” she said. – Knoxville News-Sentinel